ENG vs IND: Plan Was To Stick To Basics, Have Patience: Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj took 4/66 in England’s first innings to bowl them out for 284 at Edgbaston. His wickets included the big one of Joe Root in the fag end of day 2 which gave India the edge in the Test match. They carried on the momentum on day 3 and finished the day on top as well despite Jonny Bairstow‘s counter-attacking century.

Mohammed Siraj spoke to the reporters after the day’s play highlighting their success this time around in English conditions. He said that the Indian balers stuck to their plans of bowling in good areas and sticking to the basics which helped them reap the rewards.

Our Bowlers Have The Ability To Bowl At 140-Plus: Mohammed Siraj

“As bowlers, we had to just keep patience. Bairstow is in form and he has been continuously playing attacking batting since the New Zealand series. So we were aware his confidence was high. Our simple plan was to stick to our basics and, no matter what he did for us, it was a matter of one ball – be it an inswinger or seaming in off the pitch” Siraj said after the end of the day’s play on day 3.

Siraj’s ball to get rid of Joe Root was perhaps the best ball in the match so far where the former England skipper was beaten for pace. The ability of the Indian pacers to bowl at 140 kmph consistently also made the difference felt by the Indian pacer.

“When we saw the New Zealand series, we realised that our every bowler is 140-plus and they [New Zealand bowlers] didn’t have that. We had that ability and also we also had played against England last year. So that was our plus point, as were aware of their weak points and that is why we got the success” Siraj said.

India by the end of day 3 had a 257-run lead as they reached 125/3. Cheteshwar Pujara 50 * and Rishabh Pant 30* were unbeaten at the crease. India lost the big wicket of Virat Kohli (20) at the fag end of day 3.

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