Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj believes Team India’s pace battery is 10 km/h quicker than New Zealand bowlers, which gives them an edge against England in the ongoing fifth Test match at Edgbaston, Birmingham. India was able to skittle out England at 284 runs in the first innings and they were able to take a lead of 132 runs.

Jonny Bairstow was the lone warrior for the team as he scored a majestic and attacking knock of 106 runs but the rest of the England batters could not contribute much.

Siraj was the pick of the Indian bowlers as the pacer returned with 4-66 in the first innings. The fast bowler got the big wicket of former England captain Joe Root, who is in the form of his life. Furthermore, he accounted for Sam Billings and wiped out the tail as he got rid of Stuart Broad and Matty Potts.

Meanwhile, England was able to chase down close to 300 runs against New Zealand in the last two Test matches as they batted aggressively. However, it is not going to be easy against the Indian attack as the Edgbaston pitch is not that easy to bat on. Furthermore, Indian bowlers have more teeth in their armory.

Mohammed Siraj said in the press conference, “When we saw the New Zealand series, we realised that our every bowler is 140-plus and they (New Zealand bowlers) didn’t have that. We had that ability and also we also had played against England last year.”

Siraj continued: “So that was our plus point, as were aware of their weak points and that is why we got the success.”

The fast bowler from Hyderabad, who has impressed in his young Test career, added that they wanted to be patient and stick to their plans against a confident Jonny Bairstow.

“As bowlers, we had to just keep patience. Bairstow is in form and he has been continuously playing attacking batting since the New Zealand series. So we were aware his confidence was high.”

He added: “Our simple plan was to stick to our basics and, no matter what he did for us, it was a matter of one ball – be it an inswinger or seaming in off the pitch.”

Siraj revealed that the plan was to bowl consistently in one area and he believes they will get more help from the surface in the second dig as the pitch was showing uneven bounce on day three.

“In the first innings, the pitch was helpful to begin with, but after that it became flatter subsequently. So our only plan was to hit consistently in one area. Also, the more effort balls we could deliver, then it would be effective for the bowlers. If we took it easy, then we would end up leaking runs.”

“The ball is now keeping low, so in the second innings it will definitely help us.”