Mumbai: Former India pacer Ashish Nehra has been impressed with the way fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has progressed in the short span of his career so far. In no time, Siraj has become a crucial part of the side in the longest format of the game.
Ever since making his debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, he has taken 33 wickets in 11 games and has been a force to reckon with. Nehra who worked with Siraj closely in RCB reckons he has seen Siraj grow from strength to strength in the recent past. Nehra further praised the pacer for the way he has maintained his fitness and has shown his immense energy on the field.
“He was with me at RCB when I was the coach. He also was in the team when I was at SunRisers Hyderabad. I always knew that he had the skills. Talking about the skillset, it also depends on the player how he hones his skills and fitness levels,” Nehra was quoted as saying to Cricbuzz.
Nehra also highlighted how Siraj has rarely been required to go to the National Cricket Academy to work on his fitness as he is always fully fit, Nehra stated.
“He had the pace, swing, and an athletic body too. We see many players doing the rounds of the NCA and visiting the physios after struggling with fitness. But Siraj wasn’t that sort of a player. He stepped into the IPL after playing Ranji and has never looked back.”
Nehra has also played with Siraj when he was in Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL. His ability and willingness to learn and get better with each game is what Ashish Nehra was impressed by. “Siraj has made the most of it. He’s mentally strong as well and has that hunger to play. He used to get upset when his name was not there in the XI. When he was at RCB, he would eagerly wait to perform and get better with every match. That speaks volumes about his character.” he concluded.
India are in a dominant position at the end of the day’s play on Day 1 India were 272 for three at Stumps on Day 1 with Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane unbeaten on 122 and 40, respectively.
But with rain washing out the entire Day 2, India would be hoping to get some quick runs to force a result on day 3.
