IND vs SA 2025: Mohammed Siraj analyzes Kolkata's surface after Day 1

Overview

• Mohammed Siraj analyzed the playing surface at Eden Gardens on Day 1 of the Kolkata Test between India and South Africa
• The Indian pacer noted that scoring runs wasn't easy from one end, and when the ball got softer
• He claimed that Jasprit Bumrah's advice helped him to bowl better in his second spell after going expensive in the first spell

Mohammed Siraj analyzed the playing surface at Eden Gardens on Day 1 of the Kolkata Test between IndiaandSouth Africa. The Indian pacer noted that scoring runs wasn't easy from one end, and when the ball got softer. He claimed that Jasprit Bumrah's advice helped him to bowl better in his second spell after going expensive in the first spell.

"The new ball was coming on nicely to the bat, but when the ball went soft, the bounce became low as well. There has been some reverse swing on offer. If you bowl stump-to-stump, you'll get options to take wickets, and it isn't easy for batters to score runs," Siraj said after Stumps on Day 1.

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The right-arm pacer said that the bounce is variable at one end, where scoring runs is tough. He claimed that Bumrah asked him to bowl in the stumps line to have LBW, bowled, and catches in the equation. The suggestion seemed to have helped him, as Siraj claimed 2 wickets in his second spell.

"I think we're ahead in the match at the moment," - Mohammed Siraj

"One end is fine to bat, the other end - the bounce is variable, and it's tough to score. Jassi bhai just told me that the wicket-taking option was if you bowl at the stumps, you've LBW, bowled, and even catches coming to play when the line is accurate," Siraj added in his statement.

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Siraj felt India had the upper hand at the end of Day 1. "(Earlier) Markram and Rickelton put on a good stand, we did well to come back, and I think we're ahead in the match at the moment," Siraj added in his statement.