Mohammed Siraj reveals Morne Morkel and Jasprit Bumrah’s advice before opening Test against Australia

India’s fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has revealed that bowling coach Morne Morkel and stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah told him to enjoy his bowling in the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia. Siraj was under the pump for his ordinary performance against New Zealand in the two Test matches he played.

However, Siraj was able to turn a corner in the opening Test against Australia. Siraj returned with impressive figures of 2-20 in the first innings and bagged 3-51 in the second essay to deliver the goods for the team.

Siraj revealed Bumrah advised him to bowl consistently in one area and not get desperate for wickets.

Siraj said via ESPNCricinfo, “Morne [Morkel, India’s current bowling coach] keeps telling me that ‘you are a warrior. You’ll get us wickets, but you just keep enjoying your bowling’.”

“I always keep talking to Jassi bhai [Bumrah]. Even before the first match, I spoke with him about what I was going through. And he just told me one thing – don’t run after wickets, just keep bowling consistently in one area and enjoy your bowling. If you still don’t get wickets, then you come ask me. So I enjoyed my bowling and I got wickets as well,” he added.

Siraj said the Australian pitches are conducive for fast bowlers as the pacers get seam movement and extra bounce.

“Australia is a place where a fast bowler enjoys because you get pace and bounce. As a fast bowler, you get everything you want. So you get a different kind of confidence to come and enjoy your bowling here.”

“When I wasn’t getting wickets, I went a bit deep into why I wasn’t getting them. In India you know that spinners bowl most of the overs, so there it’s a little tough to get wickets in [the] five-six overs [you get as a fast bowler]. So I just became a bit upset about why I wasn’t getting wickets. But now I am having a lot of fun,” he added.

Siraj has enjoyed bowling in Australian conditions, taking 18 wickets in four Test matches. The second Test match between Australia and India, which will be a pink-ball game, will be played at Adelaide Oval from December 6 onwards.