India’s fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has opened up on his strategy of bowling to Gus Atkinson at the fag end of the fifth Test match against England at the Kennington Oval. Siraj was able to bowl a perfect yorker to dismiss Atkinson on the first ball of the 86th over to help India register a thrilling six-run win.
The fast bowler from Hyderabad revealed the plan was to bowl a yorker and he was delighted to execute the ball the way he wanted. Earlier, Atkinson had smashed Siraj for a six and another boundary could have tilted the game in England’s favour.
Mohammed Siraj said on RevSportz, “The one over that I bowled before that, he had a swing at a yorker of mine. So, in such cases the batsman thinks that the next would be a length ball. And the last time (I bowled that), it went for a sixer. When I was doing my run-up, I was planning and deciding on my bowling style. There were only six runs left and one sixer could have taken the match away from us, so I wanted to get him bowled out.”
“The way I played the ball in my mind and wanted it to be, was exactly the way it behaved. It was an unreal feeling when it hit the wicket exactly as I wanted it to. It was unbelievable cricket, and the result of the hard work of five Test matches was finally received on that last day. Knowing that I have done it gave me a very relaxed feeling internally,” he added.
On the other hand, Siraj revealed her mother’s reaction after the pacer was awarded Player of the Match at the Kennington Oval. Siraj returned with match-winning figures of 9-190 in the Test match.
Siraj added, “It was different this time. Everyone has watched the matches, people were appreciating my performance and recognising me more. Mom’s reaction was totally different. She was like, “You have no idea what you have done, and may God keep blessing you in this way and keep you safe and strong.” No matter what I have achieved till now, I do not want to forget my roots. Visiting Hyderabad is always a peaceful experience for me, and I try to stay the same person that I was with my friends and everyone before.”
Siraj has not been picked for the upcoming Asia Cup.
