I perform best when there’s a burden on my shoulders, waiting for a moment like this for over a year: Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj, who is leading the Indian bowling attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah in the ongoing Birmingham Test, has stated that he has been waiting for a moment like this for over a year.

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Notably, on the third day of the Birmingham Test, Siraj scalped an exceptional six-wicket haul to bundle England out for 407 runs as India took a valuable 180-run lead in the first innings. Though Harry Brook (158) and Jamie Smith (184*) tried to take the game away from India, Siraj pulled India back into the game with impressive figures of 6/70.

“This feeling is unbelievable. I have been waiting for a moment like this for over a year. I always bowled well but wickets didn’t come. Today, the morning session felt good but still no breakthrough, so these six wickets are really special. The pitch was slow, but I knew I had a responsibility,” Siraj told JioHotstar after Day 3.

Furthermore, Siraj asserted that the plan was to bowl the tight lines and lengths and not to give away free runs. He added that his main aim was not to try too much, but just bowl in the right areas with proper discipline. 

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Moreover, he stated that he loves to take up many challenges in his life and loves to give his best when there is a burden on his shoulders. Notably, Bumrah has been rested in the ongoing Test to manage his workload. Interestingly, he will also miss one of the remaining three games.

“The wicket was very slow but when you are given a responsibility to lead the attack, my aim was to not try too much and just bowl in the right areas and bowl with discipline. My mindset was to keep it tight and not give away runs,” he added.

“It’s Akash Deep’s third or fourth match, same for Prasidh (Krishna), so I was just focused on staying consistent and building pressure. I feel like trying different things, but I have to stay consistent,” he stated.

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“I’ve played 38 Tests, so my aim was to bring stability. With 600 runs on the board, I didn’t want to go hunting for wickets; I just wanted to be consistent. I love responsibility, I love challenges. I’ve seen many challenges in life, and I feel I perform best when there’s a burden on my shoulders,” he concluded.

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