Canberra.
Mohammed Siraj, who took five wickets in India’s spectacular win in the Perth Test against Australia, credited Indian fast bowling leader Jasprit Bumrah for his return to form after a poor performance against New Zealand. This 30-year-old fast bowler was struggling to take wickets in the domestic season. In the two matches he played against New Zealand, he was able to take only two wickets but he was successful in making a comeback in the first Test match against Australia.
Siraj said that he benefited from talking to Bumrah, the acting captain in the first Test and world number one bowler, before the tour of Australia. Siraj said after India’s six-wicket win in the practice match against Prime Minister’s XI, “I always keep talking to Jassi Bhai (Bumrah). Even before the first Test match, I had talked to him about my bowling. He told me not to be eager to take wickets and to bowl consistently in one area and enjoy my game. If you still don’t get wickets, then talk to me.” He said, “So I thoroughly enjoyed my bowling and also got wickets.”
Siraj also talked to former Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun about his bowling. He said, “I also talked to Bharat sir about my bowling because he has known me for a long time.” He also advised me to enjoy my bowling and not be too eager to get wickets. Siraj said, “Before coming on the Australia tour, I met (fielding coach) Dilip sir in Hyderabad and we talked together. I also practiced. So, it felt good and now I am enjoying my bowling a lot.
He said, “Morne (Morkel, India’s current bowling coach) keeps telling me that you are a warrior. You will get us wickets, but you just keep enjoying your bowling.” Siraj was looking in good form in the practice match against Prime Minister’s XI, which was his first match with the pink ball. He got the wicket of former Australian Test batsman Matthew Renshaw. The second Test match against Australia will be played in Adelaide from Friday. This will be a day and night match. This will be the first time when Siraj will bowl with the pink ball in floodlights. Siraj said, “The (pink) ball is different from the red ball. Its seams are very tight. It is shiny. The more you practice this, the better you will get. I think it would be better to bowl back length with the pink ball.
