Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has credited his outstanding performance in the first Test against Australia to the crucial advice he received from fellow Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the game. Siraj’s fiery spell in the match earned him five wickets, playing a crucial role in India’s 295-run victory. The fast bowler revealed that Bumrah provided him with key insights and strategic guidance that helped him fine-tune his bowling. Siraj entered the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the back of an underwhelming outing in the home Test series against New Zealand, but he bounced back strongly in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
"I always keep talking to Jassi bhai (Bumrah). Even before the first match, I spoke with him about what I was going through. And he just told me one thing - don't run after wickets, just keep bowling consistently in one area and enjoy your bowling. If you still don't get wickets, then you come ask me. So I enjoyed my bowling and I got wickets as well," Siraj told ESPNcricinfo.
"Australia is a place where a fast bowler enjoys because you get pace and bounce. As a fast bowler, you get everything you want. So you get a different kind of confidence to come and enjoy your bowling here."
Riding a wave of confidence following their impressive victory in the first match, India will face Australia in the second Test, which will be a pink-ball game, to be played in Adelaide between December 6 and 10. They would look forward to extending their dominance over Australia, while Australia will play to keep their record in pink-ball intact as they have never lost in a pink-ball Test.
"I think that with the pink-ball, it's better to bowl back of length. Because pitching it up, there's not a lot of swing, so the more you hit the deck and get it to seam, it will be better for us," Siraj said..
"I have heard that the ball swings a lot under the lights but I haven't yet bowled with it under lights. So when we go to Adelaide and practice, we will try that. And the more practice we get, we'll know more about what we have to do," Siraj stated.