India’s gun fast bowler Mohammed Siraj said it didn’t feel like a 55-all-out pitch after inspecting the pitch before the toss on the opening day of the second Test match against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town. Siraj wreaked havoc on the first day’s play, returning with his best Test bowling figures of 6-15 as South Africa was skittled out for their lowest-ever Test score against India.

Siraj accounted for Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Tony de Zorzi, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, and Marco Jansen. The Hyderabad pacer bowled all his nine overs on the trot in a single spell and breathed down the neck of the opposition batters with his accurate line and length.

Siraj was able to consistently hit the right areas as he bowled at his absolute best against the home team. There was enough help in the surface for all the seamers and Siraj was able to make the most of the conditions.

“When I saw the wicket in morning, it didn’t feel it was a 55-all out wicket. It was quite sunny, so I didn’t expect the pitch to assist that much. Also, bowling is all about partnerships. There was consistent pressure from Jasprit Bumrah at the other end. He didn’t get many wickets but he created a lot of pressure,” said Siraj in a video released by the BCCI.

With so much help in the surface, Siraj felt it was imperative not to be greedy and stick to one line and length to make an impact.

“On these wickets, where ball is doing so much, often bowlers tend to think, ‘let me try and bowl an outswinger darting from leg to off or get one to bend back from angle but one should just stick to one line. If you hit areas, wickets will come automatically. If you try many things, you can get confused,” said Siraj.

Siraj is once again going to hold the key on the second day’s play with South Africa three down for 62 runs, trailing India by 36 runs.