Bharat Arun revealed Mohammed Siraj responds with a smile after being scolded by him.
Team India's bowling coach Bharat Arun likes the hunger of Mohammed Siraj to do well and improve as a bowler. He has been observing him since he first saw him in the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) camp as a net bowler.
Speaking to R Ashwin on his YouTube channel, Arun recalled how Siraj used to keep calling him in eagerness to play for India. He would ask him when will he play for the country in Test cricket.
"Siraj has the hunger and determination. He has lots of it. When I was the RCB coach, he came as a net bowler. I saw him there and told VVS Laxman during a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad that Siraj was bowling very well and that we can use him for Hyderabad. But that year he didn't play much. In the final leg of the season, he played a few U-22 matches," Arun said.
"When I joined as Hyderabad coach, I called Siraj and he was not in the probables. I called him and he said, 'I was not selected but I am ready to give it my all'. So when I saw him bowl again, he was very impressive. I thought his aggression was a one-time affair during his stint as a net bowler. But he had the same aggression and keenness when I saw him bowl at Hyderabad."
Siraj, who wasn't a first-choice pacer on the Australia tour, returned with the highest wickets for India with 13 wickets in three matches. He was included in the side as a replacement for injured Mohammad Shami.
Arun loves the way Siraj responds when he shouts at him for going off the bowling plans. The speedster just smiles at him as if he likes to get scolded which shows his dedication to get better.
"But sometimes he strays off-plan and when that happens, I shout at him, in the sense, not to hurt him but to help him understand. He likes being scolded by me. When I scold him, he smiles at me and says 'okay sir, I will follow the plan'.
"He impressed for Hyderabad and went on to play for India A. But he keeps calling me after I rejoined Team India. He asks 'Why are you not calling me, I want to play for India?'.
"He played limited-overs matches for India on and off. But his self-confidence is his biggest strength and success factor. He has had a humble beginning and he has a steely resolve to come up in life." he added.