India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah played down concerns about Mohammed Siraj’s form in Test cricket, praising the fast bowler’s fighting spirit despite an injury scare during the first innings of the Brisbane Test. Bumrah said the team values Siraj’s attitude, which was evident in how he pushed through discomfort to contribute with the ball in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Siraj has found it challenging to replicate the heroics of the 2020-21 series on the ongoing tour of Australia. While the pacer has claimed 11 wickets in five innings so far, he has struggled to maintain consistent pressure from the other end, offering limited support to Bumrah.
In the first innings of the Brisbane Test, Siraj struggled to find the right lengths to exploit the conditions. On Day 2, he suffered a hamstring injury scare and was off the field for nearly a session. However, he returned to bowl 23.2 overs, picking up two wickets in the process.
“In this game, I will give him credit. He had a little bit of a niggle, but he still kept on bowling and helped the team. He knew if he went inside and didn’t bowl (again), the team would be under pressure. He has got a great attitude and a fighter’s spirit that the team loves. I personally love that as well,” Bumrah said of Siraj.
Despite Bumrah taking six wickets in the first innings of the Brisbane Test, Australia posted a challenging total of 445 on the board.
“He is always up for a fight and gives it his all for the team. That’s the biggest positive for any cricketer. Even when he wasn’t 100 per cent, he kept fighting for the team. That’s a great attitude,” he added.
“In terms of wickets, and all, some days, you will bowl well, and wickets might not come. Some days, you will not bowl very well, but the wickets will follow. It’s all money in the bank. That’s the conversation I have had with him.
“You keep controlling the things you can control, keep running in, keep having a smile on your face. You are here to play Test cricket. Your family is really proud of you. You are doing something that not many have done before.
“He is in a very good space. That’s what I know of. I don’t know what else is happening. But he has got a great attitude. That’s very good,”** he added.
