India’s much-anticipated home Test series against England starts in Hyderabad on January 25. This will be England’s first Test assignment in India under the leadership of captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. Having had a lot of success with their ultra-aggressive Bazball methods, their approach and performance on the turning surfaces in India will be interesting to see.

Siraj, one of the four fast bowlers picked in the Indian side for the series, is all but certain to start the first Test match, in his home town of Hyderabad. Before the game, he talked about Bazball and how it might lead to quick finishes. Speaking to JioCinema, Siraj said that Bazball will end up benefitting India.

“If England play Bazball in Indian conditions, the match may get over within a day and a half, or two,” said Siraj. “It’s not easy to hit every time here as the ball turns sometimes and straightens on other occasions. So, I think it’ll be difficult to see Bazball here. But if they play it, it’ll be good for us as the match may get over quickly.”

[caption id=”attachment_601394″ align=”alignnone” width=”1024″] Mohammed Siraj has taken 21 wickets from seven Tests against England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)[/caption]

The last time England travelled to India for a Test series was in 2020/21. After winning the first Test match, in Chennai, England lost the next three games within four, two, and three days respectively. Siraj reiterated the point and elaborated on the kind of role he had played back then, something he might have to do again this time around.

“On their previous tour to India, the matches were getting over quickly. In that series (in 2021) I think I played two matches,” he said. “In the first innings of one of these, I bowled five overs and took two wickets, of Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow.

“So, the aim will be to control runs in how many ever overs I bowl. If I get wickets, fine, but I’ll have to stay patient and continue building pressure on the batsmen.”

Siraj also expressed his excitement about playing in front of his home crowd: “I am waiting for all our fans in Hyderabad to turn up for the game. We love them a lot and look forward to their support.”