‘All thanks to Kapil Dev…’ – Sunil Gavaskar on Mohammed Siraj’s magnificent 6-wicket haul in 2nd Test vs SA

Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar heaps praise on India’s star pacer Mohammed Siraj after his six-wicket haul against South Africa in the first innings of Day 1 of the second Test game in Cape Town. Notably, the right-arm pacer’s six-wicket haul helped the visiting side, bundle them out for just 55 runs in the opening session of the second game.

The former India skipper feels that the 1983 World Cup-winning skipper Kapil Dev has a lot of impact on Siraj’s bowling action, which makes him so lethal against South Africa on January 3. In addition to this, the legendary cricketer feels that the right-arm pacer shows that one does not even need a spinner on a compulsory note to scalp the wickets on tough wicket pitches.

“All thanks to Kapil Dev. He has shown that in India you don’t necessarily have to be a spin bowler. Even in Indian pitches, one can take a wicket. Of course, when you go to wickets like South Africa, England Australia, and New Zealand, you will get a lot more assistance as a new ball bowler. Since then, India has produced a range of fast bowlers,” Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

I also think for the first time in many, many years India will win a match on his birthday on January 6: Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar feels Team India has a lot of great and talented fast bowlers from the past 10–12 years owing to the IPL. Moreover, the well-renowned cricket commentator believes that Team India should win the match on January 6 in South Africa to pay tribute to legendary cricketer Kapil Dev on his birthday.

“But particularly in the last 10-12 years, thanks to the IPL, there are a lot of fast bowlers who have come to the fore. There are left-handers and right-handers, there is so much of talent available if any of these guys want to take a break. I think this will be a tribute to Kapil Dev. I also think for the first time in many, many years India will win a match on his birthday on January 6.”