Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj opened up about a hilarious thought he had on his Test debut against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 2020. This was the second Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy where the Indian team was trailing the series 1-0 after a humiliating loss in the first Test at Adelaide.
Moving to the second Test where Team India was without Virat Kohli, Australia and elected to bat first. Starting the proceeding for India, Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav opened the bowling, and the spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja also got an opportunity with the ball before Siraj.
Frustrated with not getting the ball in the first session, Siraj, while speaking on the Breakfast With Champions show, revealed how he questioned whether he was Virat Kohli’s replacement for the tour. While talking with Gaurav Kapoor, Siraj said, "First session to mai bowling kia nahi [I didn’t bowl a single over in the first session].”
“Idhar se pehle Jassi Bhai aur Umesh Bhai ne daale first Ash Bhai aur Jaddu Bhai aa gaye [Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav started the proceedings then R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja got their chances]. To Maine socha kya mai Virat Bhai ka replacement hoon [I thought whether I am a replacement of Virat Kohli],” he continued
Later when Siraj asked Rahane whether he will get a chance to bowl, the stand-in Indian captain told him that he will be bowling from one end constantly. He said, "Break mai Ajju Bhai ne bola ‘Miyan’ ek end se tujhe hi daalna hai ab [Ajinkya Rahane said you only have to bowl from one end from now onwards]."
Talking about Siraj’s performance on his Test debut, t he Hyderabad-born pacer picked up two wickets in the first innings while giving away just 40 runs in his 15 overs. Then in the second innings, Siraj improved his performance by picking up three wickets in 21.3 overs while giving away 37 runs.
