Inside out | Mohammed Siraj bided his time, now shows strengths on Test debut

When Mohammed Shami was ruled out of the Test series after fracturing his wrist in Adelaide, there was a huge disappointment as India were already without Ishant Sharma, and the absence of Shami meant Ajinkya Rahane was, seemingly, left with only Jasprit Bumrah to rely on for bringing wickets. But, in a team sport, pain for one is gain for someone else, and it was obvious that one of Navdeep Saini and Mohammed Siraj had to gain from Shami’s injury.

There was a direct toss-up between Siraj and Saini, but all within the Indian camp and commentariat believed Siraj was more prepared for the debut at the MCG in the Boxing Day Test and ultimately, the pacer from Hyderabad got the India cap from Ravichandran Ashwin on the morning of the second Test.

Siraj has an excellent record in first-class cricket and for India A and he has bided his time well to earn the call-up. He was brought to the Indian team set up but failed to impress in the T20 format. It was widely argued that he was given a chance in the wrong format and that he is suited more in the longer form of the game where he could do what he does best — bide his time.

On his first day of international cricket, Siraj was made to wait by Rahane, although he had the option of easing him through when Australia were under pressure, after the fall of Steve Smith, but Rahane had other ideas. The Indian captain was keen to check if Ravindra Jadeja could extract the same amount of purchase off the pitch as his partner Ashwin was able to get in the spell where he dismissed both Matthew Wade and Smith. All Siraj could do was to wait for his opportunity, fielding at mid-off and fine leg positions.

Rahane introduced Siraj straightaway with the first over after lunch and the Hyderabad pacer showed his readiness to play Test cricket and fulfill the role India expect him to play. He was on the money from the word go and his first ball pitched on the off stump line, back of a length, and Travis Head was forced to play at it, albeit not unconvincingly.

The Kookaburra ball used for Test matches in Australia does not swing for too long and the art of controlling the flow of the innings and bowling in a channel holds the key for the success of any bowling attack. 

After a couple of overs when he leaked out few driveable deliveries to Head and Marnus Labuschange, Siraj started honing at the perfect length and line just outside the off-stump to keep batsmen guessing if they had to play or leave.

His first spell lasted for six overs when he bowled unchanged till the drinks break in the post-lunch session and his figures read 6-0-24-0. The pacer was impressive and bowled incisive lengths but wickets did not come for him.

By the time he returned for his second spell in the 48th over of the innings, Head was sent back by Bumrah and the new man in, Cameron Green, was not getting on top of the bowling attack, especially Ashwin at the other end. Rahane would have expected Siraj to bowl as per the plans and he was ready, once again.

The second over of the second spell brought him his first Test wicket and that too of the well-set Marnus Labuschagne. This dismissal was down to a perfect trap set by the captain Rahane and Siraj. The bowler repaid the faith of his captain, bowling as per the plans and Labuschagne was gone, and a big opening was created in the batting line-up.

Siraj had bided his time, waited for his opportunity to showcase what he has to offer, and now it was the time to show his strengths, which have been longevity and delivering wicket-taking balls.

He started bowling in a nice rhythm and in the channel, flawlessly. He kept on challenging the outside edges of both Tim Paine and Cameron Green as India were looking to get on top. Siraj was looking like the bowler who could chip in with the role of a supporting bowler, even if he can’t fill the big void left by Shami.

He showed commendable maturity for a rookie at the international stage and maybe, all the long spells with the red ball for India A were showing its effects as Siraj showed exemplary temperament to set up the batsmen instead of searching for glory balls every over and trying to take wickets of every delivery. 

Siraj was into his long spell and was troubling Green with away-going deliveries pitched on good lengths. But all of a sudden, one delivery nipped back sharply off the seam and found Green in front of the stumps. Umpire Paul Reifel adjudged Green lbw and the delight on Siraj’s face was for everyone to see.

Siraj has put a big price on the opportunity he got in Melbourne as he decided not to leave the tour midway after his father passed away due to illness. The decision must have been tough, but Siraj’s resolve for success at the highest level, which was also the dream of his late father, and commitment for the game, was overweighing the pain and mental weakness he could have felt after hearing the fact that he won’t be able to see his dad again. 

Siraj has come a long from a very humble background but there have been enough celebrations of his journey and it’s time for him to perform on the field for his success story to replace the story of his antecedents. Hopefully, he has set off for it at the MCG today.

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