I Like the Challenge of Bowling Long Spells, Want to Keep Playing Tests for India: Mohammed Siraj

Amidst concerns over the future of Test cricket, India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has said he hopes to keep representing his country in the format for as long as possible.

Siraj, on Wednesday, registered his career-best bowling figures in a Test innings with a six-wicket haul that helped India skittle South Africa for 55 runs in Cape Town.

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In a conversation with India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, a delighted Siraj said Test cricket is a ‘very important’ format for him.

“Test cricket is very important for me. I want to represent India in as many Tests as possible. I like the challenge of bowling long spells. I want to keep playing Test cricket,” Siraj said in a video shared on BCCI.tv.

The Newlands pitch was quite hostile for batters with 23 wickets falling on the opening day itself.

When asked about his plan, Siraj said just releasing the ball consistently in the same area was enough to trouble the batters on this surface.

“Releasing the ball was working more than the effort ball. When I went for an effort ball, batters were managing to deal with it,” he said.

Siraj was underwhelming in the first Test played in Centurion and he says quickly realising his mistakes helped him bounce back in the 2nd match.

“In the last match, once the innings ended, I realised I was trying too much. My first maiden came in the 24th over. Without watching my bowling video, I knew what mistakes I committed,” he said.

South Africa recorded their lowest ever innings total in Test cricket since readmission but Siraj says he didn’t think the Dean Elgar-led side to be bowled out for a low total on this pitch.

“No, it wasn’t expecting this (for South Africa to be 55-all out),” Siraj said. “Bowling partnerships in Tests is very important. Jassi (Jasprit Bumrah) bhai was a bit unlucky to not get wickets but he was consistently building pressure from his end.”

The 29-year-old said he will stick to the same strategy in the second innings as well. “I wasn’t running after wickets. I only wanted to consistently hit one area. My plan for the second innings will be same,” he said.