Mohammed Siraj, once a cornerstone of India’s bowling attack, recently found himself grappling with a slump in form. In the months leading up to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, his performances raised concerns. With just eight wickets in six Tests and a string of underwhelming displays in ODIs and T20Is in 2024, the pacer seemed out of rhythm. Despite motivational words from teammates like Jasprit Bumrah and guidance from bowling coach Morne Morkel, Siraj couldn’t find his footing.
Struggles and Reassurances
Bumrah offered Siraj assurance, saying, “Don’t worry about wickets; they’ll come. If not, I’m here for you.” Similarly, Morkel encouraged him to “just bowl” and stay confident. Yet, Siraj struggled to execute his game plan. Matters reached a critical point when he was dropped during the second Test against New Zealand, as India faced a humbling 3-0 series defeat. Recognizing the need for a turnaround, Siraj sought help from Bharat Arun, his trusted mentor and former bowling coach of the Indian team.
Identifying the Core Issues
Arun immediately noticed key flaws in Siraj’s technique. According to him, Siraj was focusing too much on increasing his pace and swing, which disrupted his natural rhythm. “His wrist wasn’t behind the ball, which is critical for his success,” explained Arun. This misalignment affected his seam position and, subsequently, his accuracy. Additionally, Siraj’s open-chested bowling style caused him to tilt at the crease, further compromising his control.
Arun explained that Siraj’s best performances stem from his ability to bowl consistently on a stump-to-stump line, targeting the batters’ weaknesses. Many of Siraj’s wickets—whether bowled, LBW, or caught behind—have come from this approach.
A Simple Yet Effective Fix
Rather than overloading Siraj with complex advice, Arun adopted a straightforward strategy. “I told him to focus on bowling yorkers to a single stump. This wasn’t just about mastering yorkers but about ensuring his wrist position was correct,” Arun shared. The drill forced Siraj to concentrate on precision, helping him regain his natural alignment and confidence.
The Comeback: Siraj Finds His Groove
The results were evident as Siraj roared back to form during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He picked up 5/51 in the match, including key dismissals of Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh in the first innings. In the second innings, he outshone Jasprit Bumrah, removing top batters like Usman Khawaja, Pat Cummins, and Steve Smith.
Arun highlighted Siraj’s dismissal of Smith as a turning point. “It wasn’t about excessive movement; it was about subtle straightening of the ball, forcing an edge. That’s when you know Siraj is at his best.”
Right Timing for India
Siraj’s resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time for India, who lead the series 1-0 and are eyeing another win in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. With his wrist back in position and confidence restored, Siraj is once again a key asset in India’s bowling arsenal, ready to take on any challenge.
