England vs India, 3rd Test: India Not Beaten Despite "Bad Day", Says Mohammed Siraj
Joe Root's England may be on top in the third Test, but with two games still to play, Indian pace bowler Mohammed Siraj still hopes his side can claim the series.
Highlights
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England were at 423/8, lead by 345 runs at end of Day 2
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Mohammed Siraj picked up two wickets on Day 2
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England captain Joe Root scored 3 centuries in the ongoing Test series
Joe Root's England may be on top in the third Test, but with two games still to play, Indian pace bowler Mohammed Siraj still hopes his side can claim the series. "Sometimes we have a bad day, when we get out early in a Test match and have to field longer," Siraj said Thursday after the hosts cruised to a commanding first-innings lead of 345 on Day 2 of the Headingley Test. "But that shouldn't lower your morale as we are still left with two matches and leading the series 1-0."
"We don't need to worry too much, we just need to believe in our skills and back ourselves," he said.
Riding high after winning the second Test at Lord's, India were skittled on Wednesday for just 78 on Day 1 of the third Test of five-match series.
England ended Day 2 on 423-8 with captain Roots' 121 and half-centuries by Rory Burns (61), Haseeb Hameed (68) and Dawid Malan (70).
Siraj, who took two for 86 including the wicket of Malan, said the pitch was "very slow" and offered little to the bowlers.
But he said India were not concerned about Root's form.
"When a batsman (Root) is in good touch and flow, they score runs. We shouldn't be bothered by someone scoring runs. Even if you score 100 or 200, we are still one-up in the series," he said.
Siraj said India "shouldn't worry much and focus on batting longer in the second innings".
India Cricket Team
England Cricket Team
Joe Root