<p>What have Zaheer Khan, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/its-a-lie-that-he-said-well-bowled-to-me-mohammed-siraj-on-heads-comments-23442763" target="_blank" rel="none noopener"><strong>Mohammed Siraj</strong></a> and S Madan Lal have in common? They are the only Indian pace bowlers who have claimed a fifer at the Gabba in Brisbane, where Rohit Sharma&rsquo;s India take on Australia at the Gabba on Saturday in a quest to make it 2-1 in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Madan Lal returned figures of 5-72 in 19 overs in Australia&rsquo;s second innings in the 1977-78 series opener at Brisbane where Australia won by 16 runs. The 73-year-old Madan Lal coached India from 1996 to 1997.</p>
<p>Excerpts from an interview.</p>
<p><strong>On India&rsquo;s bowling attack in the ongoing series:</strong><br />The Australians can&rsquo;t play <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ind-vs-aus-tests-greg-chappell-hails-smart-guy-jasprit-bumrah-23442564" rel="none"><strong>Jasprit Bumrah</strong></a>. Steve Smith is struggling. The other two pacers [Siraj and Harshit Rana] have to control their line and length. I&rsquo;m quite impressed with Rana.&nbsp;Look, when the ball is seaming and there is carry, bowlers need a bit of luck too. The batsmen who spent time at the crease in the last Test, got runs. Just because India lost the last Test it doesn&rsquo;t mean they are a bad side. India stands a good chance to win the series.</p>
<p><strong>On the bowler-friendly Brisbane pitch in 1977-78:</strong><br />The batters struggled in the first two days, but the wicket eased out although there was some seam movement. I was not sure whether I was picked as bowler or batter (laughs), but I enjoyed bowling on that wicket.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>On Sunil Gavaskar&rsquo;s 113 in the run chase:</strong><br />Sunil got runs everywhere. Technically, he was very correct but I must say the contribution of Syed Kirmani (55) was immense. These small partnerships helped the team to reach 324, chasing 341.</p>
<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/shivaji-park-gates-need-a-sporting-ring-to-them-jagdish-achrekar-anna-vaidya-23444534">Shivaji Park gates need a sporting ring to them</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>On playing a third string Australian team then:</strong><br />When you are playing for your country one should never say the opposition is weak. They were some very good performances from them and they played some tough cricket.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>On Australia being three down for only seven at one stage and him taking two of those wickets:</strong><br />I was very happy. The spinners were bowling most of the time. Today, we have a very good pace attack and mark my words, it will not be easy for Australia at the Gabba.</p><p>
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IND vs AUS 3rd Test: Madan Lal returned figures of 5-72 in 19 overs in Australia’s second innings in the 1977-78 series opener at Brisbane

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The 73-year-old Madan Lal coached India from 1996 to 1997.

S Madan Lal backs Indian pacers to come good

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