Kolkata: He had a dream debut in Test Cricket during India’s tour to Australia. And Mohammed Siraj caught everyone’s attention by becoming the highest wicket taker for India in that test series; grabbing 13 wickets in 3 test matches he played, leading to a historic series victory for Team India.
Since then, the right arm pacer from Hyderabad only witnessed an upward journey in his career, becoming India’s prime bowler in all three forms of the game, and also establishing himself as the main bowling weapon of Virat Kohli led Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL. But Mohammed Siraj still holds such a thing which reminds him of his early struggle and gets him going in search of further glory. It’s an age-old motorcycle.
“I still possess the decayed Bajaj Platina Bike. It was not in good condition when I used to ride it in my early cricketing days. It doesn’t have self start or even a kick. I had to run with it a few steps to start the engine. It helped me to reach the ground on time. But the vehicle was very embarrassing for me. Whenever I played a match at Hyderabad, after practice or at the end of the match, I waited for my teammates to leave the stadium with their cars before I started my familiar struggle to start the bike. Now I have expensive cars. But I still hold that Platina Bike as this is a symbol of my struggle and it encourages me to bowl at my best,” Siraj told ABP LIVE Bengali in an Exclusive Interview over telephone from the Indian Team Hotel in Mumbai where the players are going through a hard quarantine before it leaves for England on Wednesday.
Siraj further added, “I am from a very poor family. My father used to drive an auto rickshaw and that was the only earning for the family. I couldn’t buy a new bike. The old one was my only support to move within the town. But I still remember those days which were indeed a great lesson for me.”
Siraj is ready for his next national assignment, the World Test Championship Final against NewZealand at Southampton and a five match test series against England in their home soil. Asked who holds the upper hand in the WTC Final, the 27 years old pacer sounds very practical. “We are going through quarantine these days before we leave for England. We had no cricket after the IPL got postponed. But NewZealand will play a test series against England and they have reached there much before us. So they will not only be among matches, they will also get more time to adjust with the English condition.”
Siraj is looking to adjust with his line and length on English soil as well. “Australian pitches offer more bounce and pace. I used to bowl at back of good length there. But in England, there will be more swing. So I will try to make the batsmen play in front foot,” told a confident Siraj. He added, “I will be eyeing to bowl in a particular spot tirelessly. I will focus on bowling dots against Kane Williamson, the best batsman in NewZealand batting line up to create pressure on him. It will provoke him to go for shots and there will be a high chance of getting him out.”
On being asked about what changes he has implemented in his bowling, Siraj told, “I won’t say its technical changes. It is entirely psychological changes which came into me. Previously I used to be nervous on the field. But I have overcome that.” He added, “I work hard on my fitness. I spend time at the gym, training hard. Becoming flexible is the key to success for any pacer and I have achieved it through training.”
Siraj is ecstatic on Virat Kohli’s role in his career. “Virat Bhai is always there. When I couldn’t perform well in the IPL two years back, he showed faith in my ability. He retained me in RCB and I am grateful for this,” said Siraj. He is excited about National team’s coach Ravi Shastri’s role in his tough time. Siraj said, “When I lost my father during the Australia tour, both Ravi sir and bowling coach Bharat Arun sir were so suuportive. Ravi sir came to me and told, tu test match khel, dekh tereko 5 wickets milega. Tere Daddy ka dua tera saath hoga (You play the test match. You will get 5 wickets as your father’s blessings will be with you). Match ke baad Ravi sir ne bahut khus hokar bola, tujhe bola tha na 5 wickets milega (I told that you will be getting five wickets). I became very confident after my coaches encouraged me in such a way.”
In a bio secure bubble, Siraj watches movies on the OTT platform. On being asked about his favourite actors and actresses, the Hyderabad pacer told, “In Tollywood, my favourite actor is Prabhas. In Bollywood, I like Ranveer Singh. Among the heroines, I like Jacqueline Fernandez and Nora Fatehi.”
Coming back to cricket, Siraj said, “I emphasize on my preparation. I am watching videos of the batsmen of our opponent team and analyzing those. I have a clear idea on their strengths and weaknesses. I will bowl accordingly to get rid of them as soon as possible.”