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Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif<\/a> has picked Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna as his two seamers for the opening Test against Sri Lanka, leaving out Gujarat Titans (GT) pacer Gurnoor Brar and uncapped seamer Auqib Nabi. The first Test is set to commence on August 15 at the Galle International Stadium.<\/p>\n Speaking during a discussion on his YouTube channel (Mohammad Kaif)<\/a> on August 10, the 45-year-old stated that experience will be key in Sri Lanka, as the playing environment could vary and the Kookaburra ball will also be used. He said:<\/p>\n \u201cLook, I feel experience is going to be very important there. If you look at Sri Lanka, whenever Indian bowlers have done well there, it hasn\u2019t necessarily been the inexperienced or new players. The conditions can be flat there as well. It can be very hot, and the ball may not turn. As I told you, the Kookaburra ball can have a seam that becomes flat quite quickly. So, sometimes it isn\u2019t easy to get the ball to grip. So, a player who comes with experience is likely to benefit a lot.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n <\/template><\/p>\n Mohammad Kaif further highlighted the importance of experience, stating that Siraj and Krishna are ahead in that regard and that reverse swing can play a crucial role in the subcontinent. He added that he would have considered Brar as the third or fourth seamer had India been playing in South Africa<\/a> or England, saying:<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why I feel Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj are slightly ahead in terms of experience. If you told me that this match was being played in South Africa, then Gurnoor Brar could become your third or fourth seamer. If you were playing in England, I would say, ‘Yes, play Brar. But in the subcontinent, reverse swing can play a big role, and experience is also very important.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Meanwhile, Siraj and Krishna claimed one wicket each across the two innings of the warm-up game, whereas Brar<\/a> claimed three.<\/p>\n In the same discussion, Mohammad Kaif noted that Mohammed Siraj\u2019s experience will be valuable and backed him to partner Prasidh Krishna in the opening game. He said:<\/p>\n \u201cMohammed Siraj is a seasoned bowler, so I feel an experienced player who has played a lot of cricket will benefit more. His experience is going to be very useful. That\u2019s why I am keeping Brar slightly behind for now. If I am talking about India\u2019s playing XI, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna are the two fast bowlers.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\u201cPlayer who has played a lot of cricket will benefit more\u201d – Mohammad Kaif on India\u2019s potential seam attack for 1st Test<\/h2>\n