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Mohammed Siraj Rebuilds His Rhythm After a Two-Month Break
Mohammed Siraj took a two-month break after a very busy year of cricket.
He thought the break would help his body, but it made it harder for him to bowl at his best.
When he returned, his running rhythm and speed were not the same.
He struggled during India’s Tests in Sri Lanka.
The selectors then asked him to play in the Duleep Trophy final in Chennai.
Siraj bowled many overs to help his body get used to match cricket again.
Mohammed Shami told him to return to his basic strengths and keep his run-up smooth.
By the end of the match, Siraj was bowling faster and felt like himself again.
Mohammed Siraj said a rare two-month break disrupted his rhythm and reduced his pace after returning to Test cricket.
He struggled in India’s two Tests in Sri Lanka, including shortening his run-up while searching for fluency.
Selectors used the Duleep Trophy final in Chennai to give him valuable match practice.
Siraj conceded 145 runs without a wicket in 25 overs during the first innings but improved as the match progressed.
Long spells and advice from Mohammed Shami helped Siraj restore his run-up, rhythm and high-130kmph pace.
- Who
- Mohammed Siraj, with guidance from Mohammed Shami and support from the selectors, was at the center of the story.
- What
- Siraj regained his bowling rhythm and pace after struggling following a two-month break.
- Where
- The struggles included Sri Lanka, while the rhythm-building match took place in Chennai.
- When
- The difficulties came after the break and during India’s Tests in Sri Lanka; his improvement occurred during the Duleep Trophy final, discussed on Thursday.
- Why
- Siraj said his body does not handle long breaks well and that match intensity and extended spells were needed to restore his rhythm.
Key facts
- Break length
- Two months
- Age
- 32
- Sri Lanka pace
- Siraj bowled mostly in the late 120kmph to early 130kmph range.
- Duleep Trophy first innings
- 25 overs, 145 runs conceded, no wickets
- Duleep Trophy venue
- Chennai
- Recovery method
- Long spells and renewed match practice
- Improved pace
- High 130kmph in the second innings
Quotes
Mohammed Siraj
Indian fast bowler discussing how the break affected his preparation and performance
“Every bowler’s body is different, but mine doesn’t handle long breaks well. A short breather is fine, but in my 10-year career, I had never taken two full months off. I was working out in the gym and bowling occasionally, but no amount of practice can replicate match intensity. It was a new experience, but a valuable learning curve for me going forward”
indianexpress.com
“That’s just how my body works — the more overs I bowl, the better I get. If I don’t bowl extended spells, my rhythm won’t return. The break left my body feeling sluggish at the crease, so I told both myself and Tilak that I wanted to bowl as long as possible. I bowled spells of 10 and 11 overs, and that’s exactly what locked me back into rhythm”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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