Following India’s recent Test tour of Sri Lanka, Mohammed Siraj came under scrutiny after an underwhelming performance in the two-match series.
“In the first innings, the pitch looked fresh, so I tried to bowl too fast. “Coming off a two-month break straight into a match, my rhythm wasn’t quite there. Heading into this game, my primary goal was to find that flow. “After two months off, your body doesn’t react the same way — everything feels a beat slower. Getting through this game got my body moving again and brought my rhythm right back. “I was working out in the gym and bowling occasionally, but no amount of practice can replicate match intensity. It was a new experience, but a learning curve for me going forward.”
The 32-year-old said the two-month break was the reason for his poor form. Because I was forcing it, my rhythm was off.
In the second, I told myself to forget the outcome and just run in with good, natural rhythm. The moment I did that, the old Siraj was back in action, and the ball started coming out beautifully,” he said. Playing this match helped tremendously,” said Siraj.
Before the Lanka tour, Siraj’s last competitive game was the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June.