Mohammed Siraj is in Australia following a mild awakening after a challenging domestic season in which he only played four of their five Test matches for a total of six wickets.
He remarked, “I could feel that I wasn’t enjoying my bowling,” during Sunday’s tour match against the Prime Minister’s XI for Canberra. “Even if I’m not taking wickets, I personally feel different when I’m having fun on the field. Now that I wasn’t getting wickets, I looked into the reasons a little further. It’s a bit difficult to gain wickets in [the] five-six overs [you receive as a fast bowler] in India because, as you know, spinners bowl the majority of the overs. I simply started to feel a little frustrated about why I wasn’t getting wickets. But I’m having a great time right now.”
Siraj is already getting close to reaching his three-month wicket total, having taken five in Perth, despite only having played one game in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Bharat Arun, a former bowling coach for India, assisted him in locating his center.
“I spoke with Bharat Arun sir, that this is what’s happening with me,” Siraj said. “Because he has been acquainted with me for a long time and has witnessed my bowling in the past. He simply advised me to have fun and not chase wickets. Enjoy yourself, and you’ll score wickets. Additionally, I met [fielding coach] Dilip sir in Hyderabad before to my trip, and we worked out together. It felt nice, and I’m enjoying it now.
“I am constantly told that ‘you are a warrior’ by Morne [Morkel, who is currently bowling coach for India].” “Just keep enjoying your bowling, and you’ll get us wickets.”
During the practice match against the Prime Minister’s XI, Siraj appeared to be in good rhythm. He had never used the pink ball before. He took the first wicket to fall during a seven-over opening stint, which a rain break enabled. Although he was confident he had Jack Clayton caught behind along the leg side, he celebrated but concluded with figures of 7-1-18-1; however, the deflection had come off the thigh pad. He felt joyful having time with the pink ball.
“I believe it’s preferable to bowl back of length while using the pink ball. Since there is less swing while pitching it up, it will benefit us more if you hit the deck and get it to seam.
Although I haven’t bowled with it under lights yet, I’ve heard that the ball swings a lot. We will attempt that when we practice in Adelaide. And we’ll understand what we need to accomplish better the more we practice.”
Jasprit Bumrah won the match in Perth, but Siraj and Harshit Rana, who bowled short-pitched deliveries and took four wickets in six balls at the Manuka Oval, kept the pressure on the opposition. They will try to repeat that in Adelaide when the series resumes with a day-night Test on Friday.
“I always keep talking to Jassi bhai [Bumrah],” remarked Siraj. “I talked to him about my situation even before the first game. And he just gave me one piece of advice: don’t chase wickets; instead, bowl steadily in one spot and have fun. Come ask me if you’re still not getting wickets. I therefore took wickets and liked bowling.
“A fast bowler likes Australia because it offers bounce and speed. You can acquire everything you desire as a fast bowler. As a result, you feel more confident to come and have fun bowling here.
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