New Delhi: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri offered an entertaining insight into the personality of Mohammad Sirj on live television during the day 1 of the third Test between Lord’s and England. In a conversation with co-consenting Michael Attarton, Shastri described Sirj as a “clown” in the dressing room, while discussing the energetic antics of the pacer on the field. The subject came after a moment when Sirj accused Oli Pope after the ball between the batsman’s pad and the leg. The Pope re -retrieved the ball and set it up.“He is quite a character, Mohammad Sirj. Stunned directly on the batsman,” said a commentator.Attarton asked whether Siraj was a quiet type or a prank. Shastri replied, “Oh, he is a clown. And he is not a joke – someone else keeps joking at him. Or raising it up. And he falls for it. ,The exchange highlighted how high-day test matches also allow rooms for light-hearted comments, adding personality and humor to broadcasting.
Attarton compared the former England’s Quick Darren Gough as compared to Sirj, given that every team needs characters to lighten the mood of the dressing room – especially during the days of Test cricket mentally.Shastri said: “He and [Rishabh] Pant is like this. Especially when he was elevated as Deputy Superintendent of Police. There was a chakli around that dressing room. Siraj had to say that “Okay, wait until you come to Hyderabad, I will solve you”.The former India coach said, “He (Siraj) bowled beautifully in Edgbaston. There was a six -wicket race, and even today, he is working hard.”
