Former Aussie skipper Aaron Finch believes Indian speedster Mohammed Siraj is one of the best bowlers in the world.
Speaking to Star Sports, the 36-year-old also talked about the bowlers who he thinks will play major roles in the upcoming World Cup in India.
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What did Aaron Finch say about Siraj?
Finch was a powerhouse at the top of the order for the Australian side that won the World Cup in 2015; he knows a thing or two about facing fearsome fast bowling. He opened up about some of the best bowlers in the world and said that Mohammed Siraj is firmly on that list.
“Well, the reason I retired – Bhuvi. He’s the one that I always tried to avoid, but neither of us are playing now, so that's I think new ball bowlers who can swing, are a danger to everyone. I think Trent Bolt, Mitchell Starc, and Rabada, these guys, especially Siraj, he’s as good as anyone in the world at the moment,” Finch claimed.
Finch on Ashwin’s World Cup chances
Aaron Finch also spoke about the possibilities of Ravichandran Ashwin’s inclusion in India’s World Cup squad and how the mega event affects team selection in every series from now on.
“I think that [Ashwin’s selection] depends on how they think the surfaces are going to play throughout the country, and by that time, I think the skill in picking a squad for the World Cup is you have to think of the back end,” he added.
“But you can’t think too much about it because you have to get there. I think he might struggle to make it to the final 15, but as somebody who has played so much cricket, I think the rest of the group that is with the Indian team for this current series against Australia, they could learn so much about big gameplay.
“Because Ashwin is somebody that stands up in big games, whether it’s a Test match or a T20 game, he has done it all throughout his career. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s there at the moment as a mentor around the group, but I don’t see him making that last 15, unfortunately.”
Faf believes Kuldeep could be an asset
Meanwhile, South Africa legend Faf du Plessis agreed with Finch in his selection of key bowlers for the World Cup and picked Kuldeep as an additional trump card for his unique skillset.
Kuldeep will be India's trump card at World Cup 2023, says Agarkar
“Yeah, I'm similar to Finch. I think it depends on the wickets. You know, if the wicket has got something in it, someone like Siraj who just nibbles the ball a little bit both ways, and he's trying the off stump the whole time,” the 39-year-old said.
“Boult, those kinds of guys are going to be extremely successful. Rabada, all those guys, but if there is a little bit of spin, you know, someone like Kuldeep has bowled really well in the last six months.
“When he gets his tail up and he gets one wicket, you know, the next batter's coming in, he's quite tricky to face his first few balls because he spins the ball both ways.”
