“Claiming five wickets on a flat track is no simple feat,” admits Mohammed Siraj, as he attributes his fitness and success

In the ongoing series, India’s fast bowling resources face some challenges. Jasprit Bumrah is still on the road to recovery from a stress fracture, Mohammed Shami is being rested, and Ishant Sharma is in a semi-retired phase. However, amid the absence of these senior players, the young Mohammed Siraj has taken on the mantle of leading the Indian pace attack with remarkable determination, achieving this feat in only his 21st Test match.

Sunday witnessed a stellar display of Siraj’s leadership and love for challenges. Despite a pitch that offered little assistance to the seamers, the 29-year-old bowler skillfully executed his plans, resulting in his career-best figures of 5 for 60 on the seemingly placid track.

“I managed to execute my plan effectively, particularly when the ball started to reverse,” Siraj shared with reporters at the conclusion of the day’s play. His impressive performance and ability to excel under challenging circumstances highlight why the team management has entrusted him with this significant responsibility.

“I thrive on shouldering responsibilities, and having a clear purpose on the field provides me with that extra motivation. Embracing challenges is something I genuinely enjoy,” stated Mohammed Siraj, reflecting on his approach to the game.

When acknowledging his second five-wicket haul, Siraj graciously attributed his success to India’s strength and conditioning coach, Soham Desai. He emphasized the difficulty of bowling on a flat track, especially in the sweltering and humid conditions. Praising Soham Desai’s relentless efforts in honing his fitness, Siraj expressed gratitude for the coach’s dedicated work in ensuring his physical readiness despite the continuous string of matches.

Battling through the challenging weather conditions, with interruptions due to rain, Siraj highlighted the additional strain it placed on fast bowlers. He recognized that maintaining control and delivering long spells under such circumstances was far from easy.

In summary, Mohammed Siraj’s passion for shouldering responsibilities, coupled with the crucial support from his fitness coach, allowed him to rise above the odds and achieve a commendable five-wicket haul on a demanding flat track, demonstrating his resilience and determination as a fast bowler.

On the fourth day’s play, West Indies adopted a cautious approach, concluding at 76-2 after 32 overs. With eight wickets still in hand during their second innings, the hosts are left to pursue a challenging target of 365 runs. Presently, the opening batsman Tagenarine Chanderpaul remains unbeaten at 24, accompanied by Jermaine Blackwood at 20, forming the batting duo at the crease.

Looking ahead to Day 5, Mohammed Siraj predicts that it will be R Ashwin’s time to shine as the ball has begun to exhibit considerable turn on the pitch. Expressing his belief, Siraj stated, “The way the wicket is turning, I think Ash (Ashwin) bhai is going to take full advantage and make significant inroads.”

With the conditions seemingly favoring the spin bowler, the stage is set for an enthralling finale, and Ashwin’s prowess is anticipated to play a crucial role in the outcome of the match.

Mohammed Siraj reserved special commendation for debutant Mukesh Kumar, who made a significant impact by claiming the first wicket of the day with a skillful dismissal of Alick Athanaze.

“Mukesh is no stranger to the game. He has showcased his talent in the Ranji Trophy, where he impressed on challenging wickets. Securing wickets in the Ranji Trophy is no mean feat, as most of the matches are played on flat surfaces. Mukesh displayed remarkable composure, keeping his nerves in check, and executed his plans with finesse,” Siraj praised the newcomer.

Meanwhile, India’s second innings displayed an eagerness to score at a rapid pace, achieving a run rate of 7.5 runs per over, which was more than three times faster than West Indies’ second-inning response thus far. The team declared at 181-2 after 24 overs in their second innings, showing a proactive approach to set a formidable target for the opposition.

“Ishan is a highly aggressive batsman, and in the absence of Rishabh Pant from the team, he is the ideal candidate to step into that role. His capability to strike massive shots is remarkable. We gave him the freedom to go all out against the bowlers, and he delivered with flying colors. We needed quick runs, and Ishan became our go-to player,” praised Siraj, acknowledging Ishan Kishan’s scintillating and explosive innings.