Nothing seems to be going India’s way in the ongoing Test match against South Africa in Guwahati. Chasing an improbable 549 runs to level the two-match series, the visitors’ troubles deepened further on Day 4 when pacer Mohammed Siraj suffered a shoulder injury.

Mohammed Siraj gives injury scare to Indian team

Siraj hurt his shoulder during the final session after Tristan Stubbs struck a Nitish Kumar Reddy delivery towards deep square leg. In an attempt to stop the ball with a diving effort, Siraj landed awkwardly and was left in visible discomfort. He remained on the ground briefly before being escorted off for medical attention, with Devdutt Padikkal replacing him on the field.

Fortunately for India, Siraj returned later in the innings, though he immediately dropped a straightforward catch that allowed Stubbs to continue. The pitch in Guwahati has offered assistance to pacers, as seen with Marco Jansen’s dominance of the Indian batting lineup, but the Indian fast bowlers including Siraj, struggled to make similar impact.

Siraj endured a rough outing in the first innings, conceding 106 runs for just two wickets as South Africa piled up 489. In the second innings, captain Rishabh Pant used him sparingly, giving him only five overs in which he conceded 19 runs. Across the two Tests, Siraj has taken six wickets at an average of 29.