Siraj confident of India winning CT
   Date :30-Jan-2025

Mohd Siraj
 
By Paritosh Pramanik :
 
I want to improve myself in all departments, be it bowling, batting or fielding. I am working hard to get better in all departments. —Mohd Siraj
 
 
WITH the dreaded pace bowling line-up including Jasprit Bumrah, fit-again Mohd Shami and Arshdeep Singh, India are the favourites to lift Champions Trophy next month, feels seamer Mohd Siraj. The Hyderabad pacer Siraj, who was not included in the side, said that India will go all the distance and lift the coveted title in Dubai. The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19. “The brand of cricket which India is playing, I am sure we will lift the title,” Siraj said while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ at VCA Civil Lines ground where the Hyderabadi will be playing Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha. Siraj said Mohd Shami returning from injury is the best news for the country. “It is great that Shami is back from an injury lay-off. He was out of the team for more than a year. It is not easy for a pacer to make a comeback.
 
He bowled well yesterday (against England in 3rd T20 at Rajkot). He has regained his fitness and he is bowling with precision. I think he will take a couple of games to come into the grove,” said Siraj who has taken 100 Test wickets. Siraj was excluded from the Champions Trophy squad due to his ineffectiveness with the new ball. Captain Rohit Sharma had elaborated on the rationale behind choosing Arshdeep Singh over Siraj.
 
“The team required a bowler capable of delivering effectively in both the initial and death overs. Siraj’s impact diminishes when he does not bowl with the new ball,” Rohit had explained during the announcement of the Indian team. However, Siraj is not sulking over his exclusion and said that when the captain has pointed something missing he would “definitely work on it.” “If the captain has said something, he would have said that looking at the greater picture. As for myself, I want to improve myself in all departments, be it bowling, batting or fielding. I am working hard to get better in all departments,” he added.
 
On BCCI’s diktat that senior players should play domestic games for their States, Siraj said, “we all want to play domestic cricket but due to packed international calendar, it gets difficult to play everytime. We hardly get any rest. We recently returned from Australia playing five Tests. Our body also needs rest. The international calendar is very tight. All said and done, domestic cricket is very important if one wants to play for the country. And if a senior player plays for his states it boosts the confidence of junior players. So I think whenever possible, seniors should represent their States,” he signed off.