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Morne Morkel has revealed that India attempted to check in on Mohammed Siraj’s physical and mental health before the 5th Test but the pacer quickly rebuffed it.
Mohammed Siraj with Shubman Gill (AP)
India bowling coach Morne Morkel has revealed that the team attempted to check on Mohammed Siraj for his physical fitness and mental fatigue before the ongoing fifth Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test. But, Morkel said, the pacer immediately rebuffed it, saying that he wanted to play and win the game for his team.
Siraj picked up four wickets in the first innings of the Test and two more, game-changing ones in the second when England were cruising towards victory in the chase of 374 (they ultimately ended the day at 339/6). He’s now the highest wicket-taker in the series with 20 scalps and has also bowled the most overs.
“Before the start of the Test, there was conversation with him just to check in how he was feeling mentally and how he was feeling physically because of the amount of overs but he was the first guy to say, ‘listen, I want to play this Test match, I want to win it for the team, so not just the bowling front but it’s the attitude for me that is great,” Morkel told the press after the day’s play, as quoted by PTI. “You’ve got a guy with an attitude like that and he’s willing to run all day, I’m not surprised, that’s why he’s got the numbers,” he added.
Morkel was also asked why Siraj’s numbers were better whenever his mentor, Jasprit Bumrah, isn’t in the 11.
“When Booms is not there you need to set the tone as a new ball bowler or the first change bowler or a guy who’s played, you know, more than 30, 40 Tests, so I think he just enjoys that opportunity when it’s given to him and he said it yesterday, I think in an interview, he just loves playing for India and putting the shirt on and performing,” Morkel said.
Siraj is also the only quick across both teams to play in all innings available to his team in this series. Only Kapil Dev and Vinoo Mandkar previously played all Tests for three consecutive series for India while picking 10 wickets in each.
Prasidh can create magic, deserves time: Morkel
Morkel also took time to praise Prasidh Krishna, who has struggled for consistency all series, but managed to pick up 13 wickets in three games, including several partnership-breakers.
“In the same breath as Siraj, Prasidh has also in this tour found a bit of confidence. If you look at the first Test match to today, his consistency, his line and lengths, he improved a lot and he’s a guy that I believe can be a very good Test bowler for India,” said Morkel. “He’s just a guy that needs a bit of time and he needs to be backed with a bit of confidence, and every spell, he’s a guy that can create that magic ball for you with an extra bounce and pace.”
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