Mohammed Siraj was very eager to bowl in the first session: Jasprit Bumrah

Tags: India tour of Australia, 2020-21, Australia vs India, 2nd Test at Adelaide, Dec 26-30, 2020, India, Australia

Published on: Dec 26, 2020

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India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was all praise for debutant bowler Mohammed Siraj after he impressed on the first day of the Boxing Day Test at MCG. Bumrah revealed that Siraj was not nervous and was, in fact, eager to bowl.

Speaking about Siraj, Bumrah said, “"He made his debut and he was very eager to bowl in the first session, he was waiting for his chance. He has worked really hard and has come up through the ranks. He was bowling well and was amidst a good spell.”

The 27-year-old added that Siraj bowled with a lot of control when not a lot was happening after the first session. “Suddenly, he started getting a bit of movement, so he tried to use the best of it. Playing his first Test match, he bowled really well and he showed the confidence of using all his skills. That's a very heartening sign for us and hopefully, he continues like that," he added.

The Australian tour did not begin on a great note for Siraj as his father passed away after he arrived Down Under. However, Siraj decided to stay back, and was handed a debut on Saturday, with injured Mohammed Shami unavailable.

Siraj bowled 15 overs and picked up two wickets as Australia were bundled out for 195. He dismissed Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green. Apart from Bumrah, Siraj also earned praise from former Australian captain Ricky Ponting.

"Gets his first Test wicket and it is one he will never ever forget. I've liked his aggression, he has been willing to use his short ball. But the thing I liked in the lead-up to Green's wicket and even when Paine came to the crease at the 55-60 over mark, the ball started swinging and he's a noted new-ball bowler.

“He's someone who has done really well in domestic cricket in India with the brand new ball and I thought he might have his challenges here once the ball got a bit older but he's bowled really well," said Ricky Ponting about Siraj’s debut effort.

Having bowled out Australia for 195, India finished Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test on 36 for 1.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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