‘During the lockdown, I worked harder on my bowling’ – Mohammed Siraj shares the secret of his success Down Under
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Mohammed Siraj
Young quick Mohammed Siraj shot to fame following an amazing debut Test series Down Under. Siraj scalped 13 wickets in three games to finish as India’s wicket-taker in the series as he also picked up his maiden fifer. In the absence of the senior pros, the Hyderabad rookie even led India’s pace unit in only his third Test as he played a crucial role in India retaining the Border Gavaskar Trophy after clinching the Test series 2-1.
Following a superb debut series, Siraj shares that the lockdown proved to be the perfect oppurtunity for himto work on his game. While the world was brought to screeching halt, Siraj toiled away and reaped the rewards in Australia. The young quick adds that India and RCB captain Virat Kohli‘s advice helped him shed the extra pressure on him which reflected in his performance in the IPL and the Test series that followed.
“I knew this was going to be a crucial season for me as I had not done that well in the IPL last year. Hence, during the lockdown, I worked harder on my bowling. I did a lot of practice by bowling at a single stump,” Siraj was quoted as saying by Times of India.
“Virat bhai told me that I had it within me to do well. He kept telling me to bowl a consistent line and length. I just tried doing it. Earlier, I had put a lot of pressure on myself but this season, I learnt to relax and let the ball do the work,” Siraj said.
I was dedicating the win to my father
India clinched the series with a thrilling finish to the Gabba Test. While it was Rishabh Pant who hit the winning boundary, Siraj was the first to rush into the field. He shares that he was overjoyed the win and the feeling is yet to sink in. Siraj, who lost his father at the start of the tour, shares that he was dedicating the win to father. And wishes that his father was alive to see him perform for India.
“When we won, I had no clue what happened. I was so delighted and totally caught up in the atmosphere which was totally electric. The feeling is yet to sink in for me. It was my maiden Test series and to win a big series against a big team like Australia. Yes, we have defeated Australia in Australia.“
“When Pant hit that winning boundary, I just rushed out to the middle. I was speechless but was enjoying the moment. I had tears in my eyes. I was dedicating the win to my father. I loved him so much. Wish he was there to see me performing for India and win the series,” Siraj signed off.
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Anshuman Mahapatra
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