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Siraj came into the Australia tour under pressure to deliver after his poor show in the home season but now seems to have found his way back on track.
Mohammed Siraj reveals that he rediscovered his form thanks to some key advice from Jasprit Bumrah. (Image: AP)
Senior India pacer, Mohammed Siraj was able to rediscover his form during the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia where he picked up five wickets in Perth, allowing India to take a 295-run win.
Siraj came into the Australia tour under pressure to deliver after his poor show in the home season but now seems to have found his way back on track. The 30-year-old credited the pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah for helping him shift his focus back to enjoying his bowling.
“I am happy with the way I bowled here and at Perth. Over the last few months, I felt I wasn’t getting enough wickets and, in that desperation, a bit of my line and length was affected,” Siraj told Sportstar.
“I thought deeply about this and I understood that when I enjoy my bowling, then the wickets usually follow. I am in that stage again now,” he added.
A key advice that Bumrah had suggested to Siraj was to focus on consistency and the wickets would also follow accordingly.
“Jassy-bhai (Bumrah) told me to focus on being consistent instead of worrying about wickets. I also had a chat with Bharat Arun (India’s former bowling coach) and he too said the same thing, to focus on my skills instead of worrying about wickets,” Siraj said.
Siraj also explained that when bowling in Australia, the bounce on offer can be tempting and also sidetrack the bowler from their original plans.
“Because the bounce is so good, at times you may feel like striking the helmet of a batter. The point is not to be excited and just bowl to your plans.”
“As for the pink ball, you feel a bit synthetic while holding it but other than that there is not much of a difference. They say it moves around under lights but we bowled first here, maybe we will get that feel at Adelaide during the second Test,” he added.
Siraj will be expected to continue his good form as India gears up for the second Test against Australia in Adelaide where the visitors would be looking to extend their lead.
