Siraj is also recalled his last IPL season with the RCB.
India’s fast-rising speedster Mohammed Siraj has revealed his dream of one day becoming India's highest wicket-taker in international cricket and he is ready to work hard and make full use of the opportunities whenever he gets to realize his long-cherished dream.
Fast-rising pacer Mohammed Siraj is ready to put in the hard yards and make full use of the opportunities that will help him realize a long-cherished dream of becoming India's highest wicket-taker
The 27-year-old has so far played five Tests, one ODI, and three T20Is for India since making his debut in the shortest format against New Zealand in November 2017. He has overall 19 wickets to his name.
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Siraj also said the inputs from the fellow pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma really helped him while expressing his desires to play all three formats of the game for the Indian cricket team.
In a video posted by RCB on Twitter, Siraj stated: “Jasprit Bumrah used to stand beside me whenever I was bowling. He told me to stick to the basics and not do something extra.”
He further said: “It's nice to learn from such an experienced player. I even played with Ishant Sharma, he has played 100 Tests. It felt good to share the dressing room with him. My dream is to be the highest wicket-taker for India and I will work hard whenever I get an opportunity.”
Ahead of the upcoming 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021), the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pacer recalled his last season where he scalped 11 wickets in 9 matches in the UAE.
The 27-year-old further added, “Last year, when I joined RCB, I was low on confidence. But when I started bowling with the new ball, I was also bowling on a single wicket, which helped me a lot. And then the performance against KKR gave me a lot of confidence. The team culture here is so nice that everyone used to get together and discuss stuff like Virat does.”
Before the IPL 14 opening clash between RCB and Mumbai Indians on Friday (April 9) in Chennai, Siraj made it clear that he will continue his aggressive bowling in the tournament.
He said, “I was talking to Sanjay sir (Sanjay Bangar, RCB's batting consultant). He told me that my rhythm is good. I am meeting you after so long but you are putting in the same effort that you used to put for the Indian team. Your rhythm, aggression, and confidence ... it is all looking nice, so continue that.”
Siraj had a memorable Test debut in Australia last December, but it was an emotional tour for the pacer as his father passed away when he was undergoing quarantine in Sydney.
Recalling the Australia tour, the pacer said: “During Australia tour, I was in quarantine and when we came back from practice, I got to know my father passed away. Unfortunately, no one could come to my room. I called home and my fiancé and mother were very supportive and they told me that I need to fulfill my father's dream of seeing me play for India.”
On living inside a bio-bubble due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Siraj said: “Bubble life is really difficult because can't step out. But this is helping players become stronger. Now there is more time to think about performance. I was working hard on my fitness during the lockdown, when I bowled during the (Australia) Test series, I realized how much it helped me.”
He signed off by saying, “I want to play all three formats for India. Whatever opportunities I get, I want to give my 100 percent and grab them with both hands. There is a series against England after the IPL, I will give my best.”
(With PTI Inputs)