Mohammed Siraj, who was being criticized for his form before the Australian tour, returned to wicket-taking form in the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The speedster took five wickets, and his partnership with Jasprit Bumrah proved decisive in the end.
The seamer revealed how his conversation with Bumrah and former Team India bowling coach Bharat Arun helped him get back to his best.
“I was happy with the way I bowled in Perth. I was not getting wickets in the previous matches and in desperation, my line and lengthy was impacted,” Siraj told Sportstar.
“I understand that when I enjoy my bowling, I usually get wickets. I am back to that stage now,” he added.
Bumrah told him to be consistent rather than going for wickets.
“Jassy-bhai (Bumrah) told me to focus on consistency instead of worrying about getting wickets. I had a chat with h B. Arun (India’s former bowling coach) and he urged me to focus on my skills instead of wicket,” he revealed.
In the pink-ball warm-up game against the Australia Prime Minister’s XI, Siraj conceded just 18 runs from his seven overs and dismissed Matt Renshaw. The second Test will start on December 6 at the Adelaide Oval.
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