Pacer Mohammed Siraj explained how he was able to use his snub from the Indian team as motivation for his rebirth in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Siraj was left out of the Champions Trophy squad as India went with five spinners in Dubai. The right-arm quick went on to use the time to work on his fitness and is reaping the rewards at the moment

Plying his trade for Gujarat Titans (GT), Siraj has claimed nine wickets in four matches so far. He has earned the Player-of-the-Match awards in GT’s last two outings, returning with the figures of 3/19 and 4/17 against RCB and SRH respectively.

After his heroics against SRH, Siraj said that he wasn't able to accept India snub but told himself that his cricket was far from over.

"I wasn't able to digest being dropped. I told myself that my cricket isn't over. I tried to control the controllables. Worked on my mindset and fitness. I didn't know what was going wrong as I was playing consistently. Now I am enjoying my bowling," Siraj said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

"As a professional if you are playing consistently in the Indian team and get dropped then some doubts come over your mind but my mindset was to prepare for the IPL and look ahead," he added.

“When you feel you are able to execute then you feel you are on top. It doesn't matter who is batting when the ball is wobbling. It gives me a different feeling," he further stated.

Siraj said the presence of his family during the game on Sunday gave him a different confidence to perform well.

"It is a different feeling to perform at my home ground. My family is sitting there so it gives a different confidence," he remarked.

Siraj is currently second in the race for the purple cap with 9 scalps in 4 matches. GT’s next match is scheduled against RR at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on April 9.