Sought Ashish Nehra's advice after maiden call-up to ODI team, reveals Mohammed Siraj
What's the story?
Upon receiving his maiden call-up to India's ODI squad, pacer Mohammed Siraj has revealed that he has sought the advice of veteran seamer Ashish Nehra regarding the style of bowling needed on Australian pitches. The promising fast bowler has also vowed to rise to the occasion and take responsibility in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.
"I am ready to take up the responsibility in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence. I am ready to handle the pace department. He (Bumrah) was amazing in the Test series. He is our star bowler. There will be lots of expectations from me in his absence and I am ready for the series", Siraj told Times of India.
The 24-year old pacer revealed, "I spoke to Ashish Nehra sir a couple of hours after my call-up. He said go play your natural game. He asked me to bowl fuller deliveries and in the line of the stumps. He said Australian batsmen are very good in playing cut and pull shots."
The background
Making his debut against New Zealand at Rajkot in 2017, Siraj has played three T20Is for India. Although he was part of the squad during the West Indies series at home last year, he did not receive his maiden Test cap.
The heart of the matter
With the selectors resting Jasprit Bumrah as part of their workload management process, Siraj has received his maiden call-up to the Indian ODI team. Alongside Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed, he will form India's pace attack for the three ODIs in Australia and five ODIs in New Zealand.
Siraj has also been included in the T20I squad for the three-match series in New Zealand. Interestingly, he had made his T20I debut in the following game after the match in which Nehra retired. The veteran left-arm pacer had played four ODIs on Australian soil and picked five wickets at an economy-rate of 5.52.
What's next?
The first of the three ODIs in Australia is slated to take place at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground on January 12. Adelaide and Melbourne will host the second and third ODIs on 15th and 18th respectively.