Chennai, September 11 (Daily Kiran) : The Duleep Trophy final held at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai saw East Zone, led by Ishan Kishan, emerge victorious against South Zone, captained by Tilak Varma.
Senior Indian fast bowler Mohammad Siraj, representing South Zone, struggled to make an impact during the match.
Siraj bowled 41 overs, claiming just one wicket while conceding 187 runs. His bowling speed ranged between 125 to 130 kilometers per hour, a disappointing performance that surprised cricket analysts and fans alike.
Reflecting on his struggle, Siraj attributed his underwhelming performance to a two-month break prior to the against Sri Lanka. He noted that this hiatus affected his bowling pace during the Tests held in Galle and Colombo.
After the Duleep Trophy final, Siraj stated, “I am completely a rhythm bowler. If I’m not in form, I can’t bowl quickly off the crease. That was the challenge in Sri Lanka-my run-up felt disrupted. Some strides were too short, others too long, which broke my flow and affected my speed.”
Siraj emphasized the uniqueness of each bowler’s physique, explaining that his body does not handle long breaks well. “A shorter break is fine. In my ten-year career, I’ve never taken a full two-month vacation. While I was working out in the gym and occasionally bowling, it’s not the same as match conditions. This was a new experience, crucial for my future career,” he added.
The right-arm fast bowler also mentioned the transition from Sri Lanka, where they fielded for three and a half days in the second Test, to playing in Chennai’s sweltering heat within a week. “It depends on passion. When you represent your country, you can’t make excuses. You have to give your all for your team and country. I didn’t take a wicket, but this experience will be valuable at the international level,” he said.
Siraj’s bowling improved in the second innings compared to the first. He explained, “In the first innings, the pitch felt fresh, so I tried to bowl too fast. I was forcing it, which disrupted my rhythm. In the second innings, I told myself to forget the result and just focus on getting back into a good rhythm. That’s when the old Siraj returned.”