IPL 2021: “The team culture was brilliant” – Mohammed Siraj shares how RCB helped him build his confidence

The star in the making Mohammad Siraj had an excellent cricketing season in the past few months. The player was key in India’s triumph over Australia during India’s Test series Down Under. The five-wicket haul by Siraj at the Gabba, also know to be Australia’s Fortress was crucial as India became the first team in 32 years to defeat Australia in a game there. 

Siraj has now become India’s one of the go-through bowlers in Test Format and he would be eyeing to perform at the World Test Championship Final to be played in June against the Blackcaps New Zealand.

In a recent interview with RCB’s Bold Diaries, Mohammed Siraj shares how Royal Challengers Bangalore helped him build his confidence and grow as a bowler. Siraj was trolled heavily and faced criticisms for his poor performance in the IPL 2019. 

“Last year, when I joined RCB, I was a bit low on confidence. But when I started bowling with the new ball on a single wicket, that helped me. And then that performance against KKR gave me a lot of confidence.”

Even after struggling in the T20 format, Virat Kohli backed the young pacer for the IPL 2020, and Siraj didn’t disappoint him as he ended up with the figures of 4-2-8-3 in his comeback match against KKR. He rattled out Kolkata’s top order and created a record of becoming the only bowler to bowl consecutive maidens in IPL history. This match was the start of something new and brilliant for the young lad. He later delivered various match-winning performances for his team.

“The team culture was brilliant. We would all gather together and discuss things in the presence of our captain Virat Kohli,” said Mohammed Siraj.

Mohammed Siraj speaks about the influence of bowling coach Bharat Arun

Siraj also highlighted about the culture within the RCB camp. He shared that how bright and vivid the team management was. The RCB management and skipper Virat Kohli were open to discussions and opinions which helped him a lot to be bold and positive.

“Bharat Arun sir treats me like his son. Whenever I talk to him, he boosts my confidence. Even in the Indian camp, it’s the same as what it was having him with Hyderabad. He always asked me to focus on the basics and stick to my line and length. He says not to try something extra but focus on fitness.”

Siraj pointed out his relationship with the Indian Bowling Coach Bharat Arun and how the coach treats him like his son and helped him stay calm and build his morale.

Moahmmed Siraj relationship with Bharat Arun goes into the past. The player and coach duo are part of Hyderabad’s domestic side and share a bong since a long time. The player also spoke about Bharat Arun would guide him towards focusing on fitness and stick to the basics of the game. Siraj is also keen to be a part of India in all three formats of the game and is preparing himself accordingly. 

Siraj’s last IPL performances and recent acts for the Indian side must have encouraged him and he would be a player to watch out for in this season of IPL.

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