Pacer Mohammed Siraj said on Saturday that consistently bowling in the right areas without worrying about wickets was key to his success as he produced another impressive spell in India’s five-wicket series win in the second ODI against Zimbabwe in Harare Sports Club. Siraj, who had claimed one for 36 in the first ODI, held the ball in the off-stump channel, harassing the Zimbabwean batters with the late swing. The 28-year-old from Hyderabad was rewarded for his consistency when opener Takudzwanashe Kaitano got a lead in the ninth inning for Sanju Samson to make a one-handed stunner.
“In the West Indies and England I also bowled well. My rhythm was good in the first match too, so my plan was to hit an area consistently without worrying about getting wickets or not,” Siraj, who took one wicket for 16 runs in eight overs, said in the post-match press conference.
With 40 wickets in 13 Tests, Siraj has impressed in red ball cricket but lacked consistency in white ball play.
Asked if he had made any changes for white ball cricket, Siraj said: “I kept believing in myself because ups and downs are part of everyone’s life, so I kept believing that I can do it whether it’s a white ball. or red ball.
“So I just wanted to keep hitting the right areas and throwing point balls to build pressure on the opponent. I started with the new ball and went for wickets a few times, but as you know the cue ball doesn’t swing much so I was intend to hit one area consistently and bowl maiden overs.” In five T20Is Siraj has taken just five wickets while taking 13 wickets in 10 ODIs.
India was chasing 162 to win and was 97 for 4 at the end of the 14th before Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 43 off 39 balls took the visitors home with 24.2 overs left.
When asked if there were any worrying signals in the team, Siraj said: “Because it was 160 total or something. We were 100 for 4 but there was no panic in the locker room as we only needed 40 runs after Ishan’s wicket Kishan.” Current Head of National Cricket Academy (NCA) VVS Laxman took over the role of Head Coach of India for the Zimbabwe tour with Rahul Dravid taking a break ahead of the Asian Cup.
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Asked about Laxman’s role, Siraj said: “Mr Laxman was part of Sunrisers Hyderabad (in IPL) when I was first selected. He understands my skills and gives me a lot of confidence and it feels good to have a coach in the neighborhood.”
(This story was not edited by DailyExpertNews staff and was generated automatically from a syndicated feed.)
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