I enjoy taking extra responsibility when Jassi bhai isn’t around: Mohammed Siraj

Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj has opened up on taking the additional responsibility of leading the pace attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been rested for two Tests on the England tour. While Bumrah wasn’t part of the XI for the Birmingham Test, he has been rested for the ongoing Oval Test as well to manage his workload concerns.

Though Siraj misses Bumrah whenever he is not around on the field, he asserted that he likes to take up the extra responsibility of being a senior bowler in the playing XI during Bumrah’s absence. 

“To be honest, I love responsibility, but I also miss Jassi bhai because he is a senior bowler, he leads by example as to what we need to bowl to various batsmen,” Siraj told Dinesh Karthik on Sky Sports Cricket after the end of Day 3.

“I like that. When Jassi bhai isn’t around, then you get that confidence that you need to shoulder extra responsibility, and I enjoy that. I don’t take extra pressure and try to keep things simple,” he added.

Interestingly, Siraj has been fit throughout the series while other pacers, including England’s, suffered injuries at some point in the five-match Test series. Importantly, he is the only pacer to be part of all five Tests of the series across both sides.

Notably, the seamer has bowled a whopping 157 overs in the series so far, and he is expected to bowl a few more on the fourth day of the Oval Test. Speaking on the same, Siraj made it clear that he doesn’t think about breaking down, adding that he loves playing for the country. 

“I don’t think about breaking down. I only think about the match. I love playing for the country and I want to give everything to the country. I keep my plans simple and try to give my everything and results do follow,” he concluded.

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