Mohammed Siraj’s career has gone in an upward trajectory since he performed brilliantly against Australia earlier this year. He has established himself as a regular member of the Indian test team. Siraj who was criticized for his poor performances in that past has put all of that behind him. The fast bowler has turned over a new leaf.
Siraj made his debut for India in the second Test of the four-match series against Australia and since then there has been no looking back for the pacer. Injuries to India’s main pacers resulted in Mohammed Siraj playing three Test matches against Australia. He perfectly repaid the team management’s faith as he ended up as the highest wicket-taker for India with 13 wickets. The right-hander carried his blistering form in the now-postponed IPL 2021.
He led RCB’s pace attack and boy did he do it well. He bowled the crucial overs of the innings. Siraj nailed the yorkers at the death thus building pressure on the batsman and forcing them to play a rash shot. This resulted in him picking wickets at the death.
It was Virat bhaiya who gave me strength and support – Mohammed Siraj
Speaking about the difficult phase, Siraj revealed that he used to cry in his hotel room but it was Indian skipper Virat Kohli who stood by him and was always there to motivate him. The 27-year-old reckoned that Kohli made his career as he was always there to support him and back him in his lean patch
Speaking to Times Of India, Mohammed Siraj recalled, “He (Virat) has supported me through thick and thin. He has always been there for me and in all circumstances. I still remember how I was crying in the hotel room. Virat bhaiya came into my room and hugged me tightly and said – ‘I am with you, don’t worry.’
“Those words encouraged me a lot. He (Virat) played just one Test on the tour but his messages and calls motivated me. And that’s why I could perform. In fact, I didn’t have a good season with RCB in the past two years. But he (Virat) was always there to support me. He has backed me a lot.”
Mohammed Siraj also credited his skipper for backing him during the series against Australia. The fast bowler was shattered as he had lost his father during that series. Virat Kohli was the one who supported him during that time.
Siraj further credited Virat for making whatever he is in his life today. “I had lost my father during the Australia series. I was shattered and not really in my senses. It was Virat bhaiya who gave me strength and support. Mera career Virat bhaiya ke wajah se hai (I owe my career to Virat),” the right-arm pacer added.
Mohammed Siraj was picked for the series against England and is grateful for the opportunity. He is excited to represent India in test cricket.