Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli had a few words of encouragement for Mohammed Siraj who is now being touted as the new “Jasprit Bumrah” of the Indian cricket team.
Siraj played all the five Test matches and ended the series with 23 wickets in the series. Bumrah, on the other hand, took 14 wickets in just three Test matches.
It was a lion-hearted effort from Siraj, especially in the absence of Bumrah. Interestingly, India won both the Test matches without Bumrah and lost the two in which he played, managing to draw just one.
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Extremely Happy For Him - Virat Kohli On Mohammed Siraj
This Test series was also a testament to Mohammed Siraj’s fitness and his willingness to do well for the team. After the Test match ended, he spoke about how he motivated himself to deliver the final punch on day five.
Siraj is the only bowler in this Test series to have bowled over 1000 balls. He eventually finished with 1113 balls in the series. The effort that he put in for Team India deserves a lot of credit. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli, who played a big part in shaping up Siraj’s international career, lauded his fitness and his contribution with the ball for the team.
"Great win by team India. Resilience and determination from Siraj and Prasidh has given us this phenomenal victory. Special mention to Siraj who will put everything on the line for the team. Extremely happy for him," Kohli wrote on his official X handle, praising the Indian pacer.
After the Test match ended, Siraj looked back on the final Test, with India registering their narrowest win in terms of runs. He credited all the bowlers for their contribution in this Test match and throughout the series.
"To be honest, it is so amazing. From day one to here, everyone fought so hard, so we are very happy. I just wanted to make sure I hit the right areas, the wickets would fall, and anything else would be a bonus. When I woke up, I believed I could do it. I took a screenshot of something on Google that said believe because I wanted to put it out there today," Siraj said in the post-match presentation, after being adjudged the Player of the Match.
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Siraj On Dropping Harry Brook
He also spoke to Sky Sports, looking back on the drop catch of Harry Brook in the second innings. The England batter was batting on 19 when he dropped him and he went onto score 111 runs off 98 balls adding a 195-run stand with Joe Root.
"To be honest, I didn't think that I would take the (Brook) catch and step on the rope. It was a match-changing moment. Yes, I always believed myself that I will do it for the team," Siraj said on SKy Sports.
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