I’m a more confident bowler now: Mohammed Siraj
Hyderabad: Riding high after some eye-catching performances, both with the red and white balls of late, new bowling sensation Mohammed Siraj is waiting to showcase his skills in England also. “I want to take wickets in a big way and win the matches for India because it is my father’s dream,” said the 27-year-old Hyderabad fast bowler ahead of the England tour for the WTC final against New Zealand and the five Test series against the home team.
Having the experience of bowling with Duke balls in English conditions during the India A series, Siraj said that tour was important for him. “I took 15 wickets in two matches in that tour. I learned to be patient and to bowl at the right areas.”
Siraj was a revelation in Australia in his first Test series. He was frightfully quick and he burst forth in a blaze of glory, including a five-wicket haul in the crucial fourth Test in Brisbane. “I enjoyed that tour. I got a good bounce in Australia and I bowled back of the length deliveries. It will be different in England where I have to pitch the ball up and swing the ball. I have to be very consistent with the length on and around the off-stump because the ball can swing from there,” he said.
With top cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar saying Siraj has gone from strength to strength since the Australian tour, the fast bowler said these encouraging words motivates him to work hard. “It lifts your performance.”
Siraj pointed out that he has worked hard on his fitness. “I’m aware it is important to focus on fitness as I have to bowl long spells in Test cricket. Ever since I played first class cricket for Hyderabad I realized that bowling long spells requires good fitness.”
He felt he was very lucky to have world class bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohd Shami and Umesh Yadav in the team. “I’m fortunate to play alongside these great fast bowlers. We believe in taking wickets and we do it by sharing our experiences. When in the nets, I observe these great bowlers how they prepare themselves and what line and length they bowl.”
The Hyderabadi is also a great admirer of Jimmy Anderson. “He bowls a consistent length. He is a king of swing bowling.”
According to Siraj, Bharat Arun is a guide and philosopher to him. “He gave me that confidence both at the start of my first class career and at my international career.”
He added that he is happy that he is enjoying the confidence of the Indian team members. “I’m a fun-loving guy and try to be friendly with all the members of the team. I enjoy and celebrate other player’s performance.”
Talking about this year’s suspended IPL tournament, Siraj said the ball came out nicely from his hand. “This performance came after the series against Australia and England. I could see the improvement. I decided to concentrate on bowling one line. Virat (Kohli) bhaiya gave me that confidence. He would often say, ‘Miyan bahut achchha lag raha apka improvement dekhkhe’ (I feel very happy seeing your improved bowling performance). I’m a more confident bowler now.”
He was a ‘senior bowler’ during the Australian tour in the absence of Bumrah, Shami, Ishant and Umesh, and that helped him to grow in confidence. “Suddenly I became a ‘senior bowler’. That responsibility gave me confidence and when I bowled the last over against Delhi Capitals defending 14 runs, I knew it was a big challenge. In fact, I was confident I would win the match for my team.”
In a way he wanted to prove that he is a good white-ball bowler. “Now I’m able to start confidently with the white ball in the shorter format of the game,” said Siraj, who is now in Mumbai for the quarantine period before the England tour.
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