Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj on Saturday backed senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, saying he will soon find his rhythm and the left-arm spinner needs only one wicket to get back to his best form in the third and final ODI against New Zealand on Sunday. Jadeja had failed to take wickets in the first two ODIs against New Zealand. Earlier, he had been able to take only one wicket in the three-match series against South Africa. Mohammad Siraj told reporters on the eve of the match, “I don’t think Jadeja’s form is a matter of concern in any way.” It is a matter of only one wicket. Once you get that wicket, you will see a completely different kind of bowler. Siraj said that despite being under pressure in both the ODIs, the bowling unit performed well. We missed some chances in the second ODI due to which New Zealand was successful in leveling the three-match series. He said, “We performed very well in both the matches. In the first ODI, both our bowling and batting were excellent. Despite the early wicket fall in the second match, KL Rahul batted well and Nitish Reddy also contributed.” Referring to Darryl Mitchell’s match-winning innings, Siraj said that India had chances to win. ”There was a chance,” he said. When the catch was dropped. If we had taken advantage of that opportunity, the outcome could have been different. World class batsmen don’t give you many chances. When he gets a lease of life, then you have to pay a heavy price for it.” The fast bowler said, ”We tried our best to get him out and especially planned for the middle overs. But in the end the matter stops at that one point. If we had taken advantage of the opportunity, the situation would have been different. Siraj said that the atmosphere of the team remains positive before playing in the decisive match. He said, “The team atmosphere is very good. Getting full support from senior players. Wins and losses keep happening, but the atmosphere in the dressing room is very positive.” When asked about the possibility of Arshdeep Singh sharing the new ball on the small ground of Indore, Siraj said that it is the job of the team management to decide on the playing eleven.
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He said, “Arshdeep has bowled very well and has taken wickets with the new ball. The captain and coach decide the roles of the players but as a bowler, if someone is taking wickets at the other end, my job is to create pressure and not give away runs. I have full faith in him.” Regarding not getting a place in the T20 World Cup team, Siraj said that he would have liked to play in this big tournament, but perhaps this decision had to be taken due to workload management. Regarding the ground of Holkar Stadium, Siraj said, “It is a small ground and usually more runs are scored here. As a bowler, if you bowl stump-to-stump, you have options like LBW or bowled.
