Mohammed Siraj, the debutant pacer who had earlier represented India in three T20Is and one ODI has picked three wickets so far in his debut Test as India is looking the most likely side to win the Melbourne Test encounter after the Adelaide debacle where they were bundled for 36- their lowest Test score ever recorded.
Australia have a lead of only two runs at stumps on 3rd day as Australia reached 133/6 in reply to India’s 326. Australia had scored 195 in 1st innings and India had taken a first-innings lead of 131.
Mohammed Siraj: Plan Is To Get Australia Out As Quickly As Possible
India’s bowling concerns though has increased with Umesh Yadav getting ready for scans after complaining of injury in the midst of a brilliant spell where he picked Joe Burns wicket. He could bowl only 3.3 overs and Mohammed Siraj completed the over as he limped off to dressing room.
Mohammed Siraj said the plan is to dismiss Australia as quickly as possible while concentrating on basic line and length on the 4th day’s play.
“Our plan is to get Australia out as quickly as possible. Our plan is to concentrate on the basics and be patient,” said Siraj while replying to a query from ANI.
Asked about Umesh Yadav’s injury status, Siraj said: “The physio will give an update regarding Umesh.”
Mohammed Siraj revealed India planned to bowl maiden overs in absence of Umesh Yadav as the wicket wasn’t helping that much.
“After Umesh bhai went off the field. We focused on bowling in tandem and kept our focus on bowling maiden overs and dot balls as the wicket was not helping much,” he explained.
“Bumrah told me to not give any easy ball and keep my focus on every ball that I was bowling,” he added.
Mohammed Siraj picked 2 scalps of Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in 1st innings to return with figures of 2/40. He dismissed Travis Head in 2nd innings and his bowling figure read 1/23 after 12.3 overs.
Mohammed Siraj Honed Red Ball Skills And Fitness During Lockdown
Mohammed Siraj worked on his red-ball skills during the lockdown period in the aftermath of Covid-19. He also had a good IPL too which is played with a white ball as it boosted his confidence and he was rewarded with selection in the Test team.
“Worked on my red-ball skills and fitness during the lockdown. And then I had a good IPL which boosted my confidence,” said Mohammad Siraj.
At stumps, Australia’s score read 133/6 as the hosts lead by 2 runs as India did not allow the Australian batsmen to settle at crease. With the Indian tail once again failing to contribute much, India ended their first innings on 326.
But with a lead of 131 in the bag courtesy a century from skipper Ajinkya Rahane, the visiting bowlers came out all guns blazing and ensured that the hosts never really got going in their second innings.
All the bowlers picked up 1 wicket each apart from Ravindra Jadeja who picked 2 wickets in 10 overs dismissing opener Matthew Wade and skipper Tim Paine.
Mohammed Siraj has picked 11 wickets in nine IPL 2020 games averaging 21.45 with the best bowling figure of 3/8.