Gujarat Titans fast bowler Mohammed Siraj revealed he worked hard on his fitness and game after he was ignored by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel for the Champions Trophy. Siraj has bounced back strongly in the IPL and has ticked the right boxes.
On Sunday, he returned with his best IPL bowling figures of 4-17 against Sunrisers Hyderabad while playing at his home ground of Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad. Siraj accounted for SRH openers – Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma – in the Powerplay to put his team in front.
Subsequently, Siraj plumbed Aniket Verma with a scorching yorker and also dismissed Simarjeet Singh. Siraj played a key role in restricting the Orange Army to 152-8 and thus he was awarded Player of the Match.
Siraj said in the post-match presentation, “I have worked hard on my bowling and also on my mindset, it’s working really well for me. At one time, I was not able to digest it (having not been picked for Champions Trophy) but I kept my spirits up and worked on my fitness and game. Whatever mistakes I was making, I worked on those and I’m enjoying my bowling. As a professional, when you are consistently with the Indian team, a doubt grows in your mind (on him being dropped) but I cheered myself up and was looking forward to the IPL. When you execute what you are trying to deliver, you stay at the top. When you move the ball both in and out and it works instinctively, it gives you a different feeling.”
The fast bowler revealed the presence of his family in the ground gave him confidence to give his absolute best.
He added, “When you come to your home ground, it’s a special feeling. My family was there in the crowd and that lifted me up.”
Siraj has bagged nine wickets in four matches at an average of 13.78 in the ongoing IPL and has played a key role in GT’s success.
GT will next take on Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
