Shami and Siraj ran through the Australian batting line-up in the opening ODI.
Shami (3/17) and Siraj (3/29) claimed three wickets each as India bundled out the visitors for a paltry 188 in 35.4 overs.
After the game, Shami and Siraj interacted with each other on bcci.tv, where the latter talked about his signature ‘Siu’ celebration after taking wickets.
“So, because I’m a Cristiano (Ronaldo) fan, which is why I celebrate like him. Whenever I’ve bowled a batter, I celebrate that way. Not when it is caught at fine leg or something,” Siraj replied when Shami enquired about his celebration.
The veteran fast bowler then offered an advice to Mohammed Siraj, who pulled off the same celebration after knocking over Travis Head during the opening ODI against Australia.
“Ek advice hai… it’s a good thing that you are someone’s fan but as a fast bowler you should stay away from these jumps,” Shami said.
Shami wreaked havoc on Australia’s middle-order as he dismissed Josh Inglis (26), Cameron Green (12), and Marcus Stoinis (5) in quick succession.
“A fiery spell. To pick three wickets in this heat, what was your plan?,” Siraj asked.
To which, Shami replied: “Nothing special. Just like we discuss in the team meetings, that we need to keep the ball in good areas, focus on good line and length, that was all I had in my mind. As you said, it was a very hot out there as well. You’ve felt the same as well. When we bowled the first spell, it was pretty hot. After the breeze started blowing, it became a little easy. The plan was to try and get off to a good start.”
Chasing the target, India were reeling at 39/4 before KL Rahul (75* off 91 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (45* off 69 balls) produced responsible knocks to take the hosts over the line with 10.1 overs to spare.
“When we were chasing 189 and losing quick wickets early on, what were you thinking?” Shami asked Siraj.
“I thought this will go right down the wire and will be an interesting game. Afterwards, the partnership between Jaddu bhai (Ravindra Jadeja) and KL (Rahul) bhai’s partnership of 100 runs was outstanding,” Siraj responded.
Shami then asked, “But I saw you had started to take out your batting equipment?” To which, Siraj replied with a laugh, “I trusted these two to finish the game.”
Talking about his plan with the ball, Siraj stated, “To be honest, when I bowl with the new ball…to the left hander (Travis Head), I can get the ball to swing back in, so the plan was to take as many wickets as I can in the powerplay.”
Siraj then spoke of the course of play when Shami picked three wickets off his three successive overs.
“I got a wicket and was at fine leg when you were bowling and thought what’s happening (referring to Shami picking three wickets in quick succession). I thought to myself, “Has the umpire given a new ball!?”
He further added, “And then when I came to bowl, I realised it was moving well off the wicket. I had the plan to bowl consistently at one spot….”
(The Indian Express Inputs)