'I immediately knew he's going to have a good Test career': Dale Steyn praises India pacer for bringing 'good attitude'

Off all Indian pacers, Dale Steyn reserved high praise for one fast bowler in particular, who he believes, brings a 'good attitude' to the game.

Dale Steyn is highly impressed with India's current lot of fast bowlers and has advised the Test pace quartet of Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj to stay fit ahead of the five-Test series against England. India's pace-bowling contingent has really risen in the last couple of years. It will have to lead from the front in England's swinging conditions if India are to succeed, and Steyn reckons they could only be affective if they pay attention in staying fit.

From left: Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Ishant Sharma. (Getty Images)

"I like what they have got right now. All those bowlers bring something different to the party. My advice is to stay fit. Five Test matches - that requires a lot of bowling. It's a lot of wickets to take, and if you're going to rely on your seamers to do a lot of bowling, you have to stay fit," Steyn said on ESPNCricinfo.

Off all pacers, Steyn reserved high praise for Siraj as the South Africa pacer feels the Indian quick brings a wonderful 'attitude' to the game, a trait that he reckons isn't talked about much in international cricket. Steyn believes Siraj exemplifies it and that is one of the reasons which makes him special.

"Mohammed Siraj is somebody who could come in. I think he brings a good attitude to the game. That's another thing we tend to forget when you're playing in England conditions. It's not just about where you put the ball but also the attitude you bring, getting in people's faces, making them play shots they don't particularly want to play - I think Siraj is somebody who can do that," said Steyn.

Siraj burst onto the scene during the India vs Australia series last year, where he bagged 13 wickets from three Tests, including a five-wicket-haul at the Gabba. More importantly, the way he led India's pace attack in the absence of the experienced seamers was a testament to his character. Steyn feels Siraj could have been part of India's pace attack for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand, although it may have resulted in him leaking a few extra runs.

"I saw parts of that little bit of fight when he played in Australia and I immediately knew he's going to have a good Test career. Don't forget about the attitude of a fast bowler too. Maybe that's something India would have really relished in the World Test Championship final, but it would have come with the sacrifice of some more runs," the South Africa pacer added.