December 24, 2024: Ahead of the highly anticipated fourth Test at Melbourne, Indian captain Rohit Sharma has expressed his confidence in his bowling attack, particularly pacer Mohammed Siraj, and reiterated his belief in the team’s ability to deliver strong performances despite some inconsistent showings in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). With the series tied 1-1, the upcoming Boxing Day Test becomes pivotal for both teams, and India’s bowlers, particularly the pacers, will play a crucial role in determining the outcome.
Rohit acknowledged that while Jasprit Bumrah has been exceptional in the series so far, leading the wicket-taking charts with 21 wickets at an average of 10.90, the rest of the bowling group, including Siraj, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, have not quite found their rhythm. Despite this, the captain expressed strong faith in their abilities, stressing the importance of attitude and confidence over the course of a long series.
“For me, as a captain, the goal is always to get the best out of everyone,” Rohit said. “Nobody comes to the field not to perform, but we understand that sometimes things don’t go your way. When someone is in form, like Bumrah, we want them to make the most of that form. But the others, like Siraj, know that they need to step up as well and contribute.”
Siraj, who has taken 13 wickets in the series at an average of 23.92, has shown promise but hasn’t been as lethal as Bumrah. Rohit believes Siraj’s attitude has been exemplary and that his efforts will pay off. “Siraj has really shown a great attitude on this tour so far,” Rohit said, adding that the key is to keep encouraging the bowlers to stay confident and keep putting in the effort. “It’s about running in hard and sticking to the plans. They’ve done the job for us in the past, and I have full faith that they will again.”
Rohit also acknowledged the inexperience of bowlers like Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who have struggled with consistency. Rana, in particular, has had a tough time with an average of 50.75 from two Tests, while Reddy’s 41.00 average reflects a lack of penetration. However, Rohit remained patient, explaining that setbacks like this are part of the game. “Anyone can have tough days or tough series. It doesn’t mean they aren’t good enough to perform at this level,” he said.
The captain emphasized the importance of maintaining the right attitude and providing the bowlers with the support they need to regain confidence. “I have enough confidence and faith in them. The attitude is what matters to me,” he reiterated. Rohit’s messaging to his bowlers has been clear and simple: stay positive, keep working hard, and trust in their abilities.
As India heads into the Melbourne Test, with an ICC World Test Championship final spot at stake, Bumrah, Siraj, and the rest of the bowling attack will be expected to deliver crucial wickets to help India push for a series lead. Rohit’s leadership, along with the team’s collective resilience, will be key as they look to bounce back after a tough start to the series.
