Pesar Mohammad Siraj said on Sunday that he was struggling to come on conditions after being demolished from the Indian team for the Champions Trophy early this year. Siraj gave an excellent performance to return 4/17 figures in the seven-cicat win of Gujarat Titans over Sunrisers Hyderabad in his Indian Premier League match. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Siraj said, “At one time, I was not able to digest it (was not chosen for the Champions Trophy) but I put my souls up and worked on my fitness and game.” He said, “Whatever mistakes I was making, I worked on them and I am enjoying my bowling.
“As a professional, when you are consistent with the Indian team, a doubt grows in your brain (being dropped on it) but I made myself happy and was eager to the IPL.
“When you execute what you are trying to distribute, you live at the top. When you move the ball in both the inside and outside and it works easily, it gives you a different feeling.” Siraj is happy that he could perform so well with his parents that he is looking at him from the stand.
“When you come to your home ground, it is a special feeling. My family was in the crowd and he picked me up. I have played seven years for RCB. I have worked hard on my bowling and on my mindset too, it is really doing well for me,” Siraj said.
Bowling first, GT limited SRH to 152 for eight.
Gill praised the bowlers
Gujarat’s Titans captain Shubman Gill praised his bowlers after his comfortable victory over host Sunrisers Hyderabad, calling him “game-scenes” in the smallest format.
“The bowlers are game-changes, especially in this format. Many people talk about T20, bat and hit, but we think match is won by the bowlers and that is why there is a lot of emphasis on the bowlers (in this franchise).” Gill led the bat from the front to the front, not 61 in 43 balls. The skipper was also pleased to see the talented Washington Sundar on GT debut.
Gill said, “He (Washington) was very close to the game (to play) against Mumbai. He was padded throughout the game, but with the rules of the player, it gives you a chance to play someone else (if you need an additional bowler),” Gill said about Washington.
“It was all about having a good partnership, and we said that once we are set, we will take it from there.” Regarding Siraj, Gill said, “The energy he brings is tremendous. While playing against him, you want him in your team. His energy is contagious.” Washington said that Washington said that his captain’s advice was to take the game deeply.
“The skipper kept asking me to play as deeply as possible. I left for a good start and wanted to bat as deeply as possible and finish for the team.
“It has been a tendency in Hyderabad over the years. In the second innings, the wicket gets better and it becomes easy to chase 160–170 on the board. I knew about it well and helped me.” SRH captain Pat Cummins said, “Not a traditional Hyderabad wicket, hard to get a flow in his innings. Finally, it did not spin as much as we thought. Some (run) low and they batted well,” he said.
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