“You’re a warrior ” – Siraj reveals how Morne Morkel motivated him throughout tough patch

Mohammed Siraj has gotten into rhythm. India cricket team’s second-best fast bowler across format, Siraj, was going through a rough patch in Test cricket. After starting the year with a 7-wicket haul in South Africa, the 30-year-old struggled during the home season. In the rest of the year before travelling to Australia, he played 8 Test matches against England, New Zealand, and Bangladesh.

12 wickets is all he had in these home Tests. Without the services of Mohammed Shami, everyone thought the team would struggle. It was understood that Jasprit Bumrah would have to do the heavy lifting, but Siraj stood up when it mattered the most. Although he got five wickets in the India vs Australia 1st Test, it was his immaculate control that stood apart.

How Siraj got back into form

Often criticised for his lack of control, Siraj was on point throughout the game. The sudden change came about due to India’s current and past bowling coaches. The pacer explained how he contacted Bharat Arun, someone who he has worked with since 2015 and was India’s last bowling coach.

“I spoke with Bharat Arun sir, that this is what’s happening with me. Because he has known me for a while and he has seen my bowling from a long time back. So he just told me to enjoy and not run after wickets. Just enjoy, and you’ll get wickets. And before travelling, I met Dilip sir (fielding coach) in Hyderabad, and we practiced together as well. So it felt good, and now I’m enjoying,” Siraj said after the India vs Prime Minister’s XI match in Canberra.

“Morne Morkel (assistance coach) keeps telling me that ‘you are a warrior’. ‘You’ll get us wickets, but you just keep enjoying your bowling’,” he added.

Mohammed Siraj’s Test record in Australia