It was a great day at work for the debutant Mohammed Siraj as he kickstarted his Test career with a bang. He impressed one and all with his amazing performance in the ongoing 2nd Test of the 4-match series in MCG.
Siraj’s inclusion in the playing XI was one of the few changes team India made for the second test match.
Maiden Test wicket for Mohammed Siraj and maiden Test catch for @RealShubmanGill ??
Labuschagne is OUT for 48 and AUS are 134-5. #TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/UntPC8hkcI
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 26, 2020
Siraj repaid the trust shown by the team management and skipper Ajinkya Rahane and didn’t take long to make a mark. It was in his eighth over of the game, when he dismissed the dangerous Marnus Labuschagne to put team India on top. Later on, during the 62nd over of Australia’s innings when the India debutant dismissed Green with a perfect plan and left everyone in awe.
Later after the match, Mohammed Siraj highlighted the immense support he received from Ajinkya Rahane to execute his plans and set his own fields.
During the post-match presentation, Siraj talked about his experience of making a debut in the Boxing Day Test against Australia.. Responding to which, he was all praises for the skipper Rahane and how he motivated him to do well in the game. He revealed:
“Firstly, I am very happy that I got to make my debut. And I had spoken to Rahane and he told me to do whatever I have been doing for India A and domestic cricket. He asked me not to think too much that I was playing for India and bowl my normal stuff,”
He added:
“I enjoyed a lot bowling with Rahane as the captain. Because he gave me the freedom to bowl the way I wanted and set my own field. He was also motiviating me if one or two balls went bad. So, I was getting the confidence with him,”
Zaheer Khan ased Siraj is he was nervous before the game, to which Siraj responded by saying that the game has helped ease his nerves. He said:
“I was a little nervous at the start. But by the time my bowling came after lunch, my entire nervousness was gone.”
He was further asked about his discussion with Jasprit Bumrah in the middle, answering which, Siraj revealed:
“He was coming to me ball to ball and telling me to just think about the next delivery and not the entire over,”
He added:
“He was telling me that I will do well and asked me not to take any tension. So, I also got the confidence because he was with me,”
