India’s star fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has revealed his fitness during the England tour and a special conversation he had with Shubman Gill.
Siraj explained how he performed brilliantly in the five-Test series and set a record for the most wickets.
Siraj took 23 wickets in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England and was the top bowler of the series.
Siraj’s target: to become number one
Siraj told the Indian Express’s ‘Idea Exchange’ that he had planned to take the most wickets in the series even before leaving for England.
He said, “When I landed in England, my aim was to become the highest wicket-taker there. That was my zone.”
Siraj also explained that due to Jasprit Bumrah missing some matches, his responsibility increased. He wanted his fitness and performance to be 100%.
His confidence was high after taking 20 wickets on the Australia tour and performing well in the IPL.
Siraj had worked especially hard on his fitness. During the break after the Champions Trophy, he improved his bowling weaknesses and maintained his fitness at a high level. As a result, he wasn’t feeling tired until the fifth Test.
Gill asked, “How is your body?”
Before the final Test of the series, when the score was 2-1 in England’s favor, there were rumors that Siraj might be rested. But Siraj revealed that captain Shubman Gill spoke to him personally.
Siraj said, “Shubman (Gill) asked me, ‘How is your body?’ I said, ‘Absolutely first-class.’ He asked me if I would play. I said yes. He said, ‘You are the main bowler for us, like Jasprit Bumrah, you decide.'”
Siraj assured Gill that he was fully fit and would give his 100% in the final Test as well.
Siraj also said that he was so enthusiastic at that time that if there had been another Test, he would have played it as well.
“I didn’t feel tired. But I was in a zone,” Siraj said.
His enthusiastic performance helped India make a remarkable comeback in the series. Siraj proved that he can match a big player like Bumrah not only in fitness but also in bowling.
