Mohammad Siraj reveals his preparations to improve his bowling in limited overs cricket
On Sunday, Indian fast bowler, Mohammed Siraj on Sunday, January 15, said that he was determined to improve in his limited-overs cricket after missing the 2023 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Royal Challengers Bangalore. Siraj talked about his improvement in limited-overs cricket, especially in ODIs after his series-winning performance against Sri Lanka in the 3-match ODI series.
Mohammed Siraj scalped 9 wickets in the 3-match series as he took 4 for 32 in the third ODI as the visitors were bundled out for 73 chasing 391 in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
During the media interaction after the match, Mohammed Siraj said, “When I had a bad IPL, I thought I want to get better at white-ball cricket as well. I slowly started working on my white ball skills. When I did well in 1-2 ODIs, I got the confidence that I will be able to do well in LOIs.”
The Hyderabad fast bowler said that he has stopped focusing on the end result and is satisfied if he gets his line and length right consistently. Siraj, who relies on scrambled-seam deliveries, said his focus is on striking with the new ball and getting India an edge in the powerplay.
Explaining the same, Mohammad Siraj said, “I don’t want to focus too much on the end results. Earlier I used to think a lot about my performance. Nowadays, I have started realizing that regardless of my performance, I want to be consistent with line and length with each ball I bowl. Then gradually my performance started improving. Even when I didn’t take wickets, I wanted to have the satisfaction of bowling good line and length.
He further added, “This series has been really good. My plan was to take wickets with the new ball and put pressure on the opposition. But can come.
India posted a massive 390 in their 50 overs on the back of centuries from Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, who remained unbeaten on 166 to continue their fine start in 2023. It was then the Siraj show in Thiruvananthapuram as he ran through the visitors’ batting line-up and picked up all four of his wickets in the first 10 overs of the innings.
Speaking after the match as quoted by Cricbuzz, the 28-year-old said that he tried very hard to get the five-wicket haul. Siraj said he was getting a good outswing but the wicket-taking over happened when he bowled with a scattered seam. The India pacer said he was trying to create some doubt in the batsmen’s mind with his outswingers. Siraj admitted that Sharma made him work hard to get his five-wicket haul but he failed in the end.
Mohammad Siraj said, “I wanted to try and get my first fifty. Tried a lot, but you get what you deserve. Outswing was coming out well, but the wicket-taking over was scattered.” Hui was the seam. I just try to create some doubt in the batsman’s mind with those outswing balls. The captain tried hard to get me that fifty, but what can we do.
Siraj will next feature in the 3-match ODI series against New Zealand, which starts on Wednesday, January 18.
