“We were waiting for them to make mistake…”: Siraj

Following a four-wicket haul on day three of the third Test against England, Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj said that the plan was to wait for English batters to make a mistake and deliver yorkers.

Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his brilliant run of form with a third Test century and Shubman Gill hit an unbeaten half-century to help India secure a 322-run lead against England on the second day of the third Test at Rajkot on Saturday. In England’s first innings, Siraj played a key role in their collapse, taking a four-wicket haul.

Speaking after the end of the day’s play, Siraj said, “We had only four bowlers and we had a responsibility. We knew they would attack so we spoke about sticking together knowing that they would make a mistake. We did not plan anything much, we were waiting for them to make a mistake. I knew the yorker would be a good wicket-taking option. The important role for a bowler is to bowl six dot balls, we know they are not used to playing out six dots in a row.”

Siraj completed 150 international wickets on Saturday.

Siraj took 4/84 in 21.5 overs in England’s first innings helping India gain a crucial lead. He got the wickets of Ollie Pope, wicketkeeper-batter Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed and James Anderson.

In 76 international appearances so far, Siraj has taken 152 wickets at an average of 25.91. His best bowling figures are 6/15. He has taken four five-wicket hauls in international cricket.

In 25 Tests, Siraj has taken 72 wickets at an average of 28.54, with the best bowling figures of 6/15. He has three-wicket hauls in the long format.

Siraj has represented India in 41 ODIs, taking 68 wickets at an average of 22.79 with the best figures of 6/21. He has one five-wicket haul in ODIs.

In 10 T20Is, he has taken 12 wickets at an average of 27.83, with the best figures of 4/17.

This 29-year-old pacer has been instrumental in India’s recent Test success at home, Australia, England and South Africa, having delivered match-winning spells. He has also delivered with the new ball in white-ball cricket.