"I think he is going through a phase where he wants to do but it's not happening" - Mohammed Shami on Mohammed Siraj's recent below-par performances
Mohammed Shami reckons Mohammed Siraj is enduring a slightly lean phase and things are not going his way. He pointed out that opposition batters are not falling prey to his plans, with catches also getting dropped.
India are currently playing New Zealand in a three-match Test series, with the second game starting in Pune on Thursday, October 24. Siraj registered figures of 2/84 in the first innings and went wicketless in the second essay in the hosts' eight-wicket loss in the first Test in Bengaluru.
During an interaction with Sports Tak, Shami was asked about his thoughts on Siraj's underwhelming numbers.
"It's not that Siraj is new, he is quite experienced. At times, what we are focusing on doesn't happen. I think he is going through a phase where he wants to do but it's not happening. He wants to pick up wickets but people are not getting out, or if he is getting the edge, catches are not being taken," he responded.
The veteran seamer advised the Hyderabad pacer to concentrate on bowling the right lines and lengths, highlighting that results would follow.
"That phase comes sometimes. I feel there is no need to get frustrated. Concentrate on the basics, pick a spot and keep bowling there, no one will be able to stop you once you start getting success," Shami said.
Siraj has picked up 80 wickets at an average of 30.43 in 30 Tests. He has managed only six wickets at an average of 39.67 in his last three Tests, including the two-match series against Bangladesh and the first game against the Kiwis.
"You need freedom from the captain, which he gives" - Mohammed Shami on Rohit Sharma as skipper
![Mohammed Shami excelled under Rohit Sharma's captaincy in the 2023 ODI World Cup. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/bab2e-17295773759291-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same interaction, Mohammed Shami was asked about his thoughts on Rohit Sharma's captaincy.
"I hadn't played much under Rohit earlier. I was seen playing under him in the World Cup and got to play a few other matches. You need freedom from the captain, which he gives," he replied.
The right-arm seamer added that the Indian Test and ODI skipper knows how to extract the best from his players.
"As a captain, you should know which player can give his best in a particular situation. He knows that very well. Since we have been playing together for such a long time, everyone's ability is known. He knows very well when to extract the best from a player," Shami observed.
India reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final and lifted the 2024 T20 World Cup trophy with Rohit as skipper. They will hope to qualify for their third consecutive World Test Championship final and bag their maiden title in the longest format under his leadership next year.