‘When he completed his 5-wicket haul, I was genuinely very excited for Siraj,’ says Shardul Thakur


‘When he completed his 5-wicket haul, I was genuinely very excited for Siraj,’ says Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur (left) and Mohammed Siraj (right).

India’s key performer in Brisbane’s Test match, Shardul Thakur talked of Mohammed Siraj who played his debut series against Australia. Thakur, who played his second Test for India, scored 67 crucial runs in the first innings to lead India’s recovery and then bagged seven wickets in the match.

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“People were watching us that we’re both on 4 wickets apiece [Siraj and Thakur]. We were both chasing a [maiden] 5-wicket haul. When I was bowling, all I could think of is if I take 5 wickets then it will be for the team. To be honest, I was wishing from the bottom of my heart that Siraj gets his 5-wicket haul because it was a very emotional time for him,” Shardul Thakur told Sports Today.

“When the catch came to me, I was praying to God that this catch should not be dropped at any cost. It had rained as well before so the outfield was wet too, so I was praying that I must take the catch because that would complete his 5-wicket haul as he was so fulfilling his father’s dream of him playing for India,” he said.

Siraj got his maiden 5 wicket haul

Mohammed Siraj

“I had Siraj’s words about his father in mind, who was watching us from up above, and he would be very happy after the 5-wicket haul. When he completed his five-for, I was genuinely very excited for Siraj. It was his maiden 5-wicket haul in Tests and it was a dramatic end to the innings, I was extremely stoked for him.” he added.

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Mohammed Siraj became the leading wicket-taker for the Indian side and took 13 wickets across three matches. Besides, he later clinched a five-wicket-haul in the Brisbane’s Test match.

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