India pacer Mohammed Siraj on Thursday (January 21) thanked the IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore and skipper Virat Kohli for always believing in his ability.
Siraj lost his father before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy started in Australia. He had the option to return home to attend the last rites but he stayed with the team to fulfill his father's dream to represent India in Tests.
"The trust that RCB and Virat Bhai have shown in me. RCB backed me throughout, I had a terrible season in 2018, but still, they retained me. Virat Bhai has always shown his support, he has always told me that I have the ability to perform on the big stage," Siraj told reporters at a press conference in Hyderabad, as quoted by ANI.
"I will take the confidence from this series to the next against England. Whatever team management decides, I will do just that. I am not thinking what will happen when (Mohammad) Shami and Umesh (Yadav) return," he added.
Siraj made his Test debut in the second game at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground and played a key role in India’s 2-1 series win over the hosts.
The right-arm speedster took 13 wickets in the series at an average of 29.53, including a maiden five-wicket haul (5/73) to script the visitors’ three-wicket victory in the fourth Test at the Gabba.
"Smith's wicket was crucial, I had dropped his catch, then I was under pressure. But I got Smith out, it helped our team and I got a bit relaxed. I just want to keep performing for the team, I don't intend to relax, I just want to continue my performances."
"My favourite wicket was Marnus Labuschagne, it was a crucial wicket in the Test, I took two wickets in one over, so it was special," said Siraj as he reflected on the historic win in Brisbane.
Commenting on bowling in tandem with Jasprit Bumrah during the second and third Test, Siraj said: "Bumrah kept supporting me from the other end. I played two matches with him, he supported me throughout. I bowled a bad spell in the fourth Test, Bumrah bhai told me not to focus on that and be prepared for the next spell. After taking a five-wicket haul, I just hugged Bumrah bhai."
Sharing his feeling of leading the Indian pace attack in the fourth Test, Siraj said: "I was just thinking I am playing for India A. I did not think that I was playing for India as it would have bought different pressure. Ajinkya Rahane trusted every youngster, he believed in all of us. He gave confidence to the likes of Shubman Gill, Shardul Thakur and this means a lot to any youngster. I have enjoyed under both Kohli and Rahane."
"During the lockdown, I worked really hard, I did bowling on a single-wicket, I knew IPL 2020 would be really important for me. I spoke to Dale Steyn while playing for RCB, I was able to develop outswinger there. I was then selected for the Australia series, I thought I would not get a chance but I played three matches and now I am looking to just focus on the Tests against England."
"Hanuma Vihari captained me while for Hyderabad, he knows me really well, he was always trying to explain to me what the opposition batters were trying to do. He always supported me," he further remarked.
(With ANI inputs)
