Star India pacer Mohammed Siraj devastated the West Indies batting lineup with a four-wicket haul on the opening day of the Test on Thursday. Following a memorable England tour, Siraj was back in action with remarkable figures of 4/40 on a lively pitch to help dismiss the West Indies for 162 in 44.1 overs.
With skipper Shubman Gill saying that he would like his team to play on pitches that provide equal opportunities to both batters and bowlers, and are fundamentally not rank turners, Siraj led the bowling attack here to help India to a commanding position on the opening day itself.
“I was very excited to bowl on this green-top wicket, something we don’t get very often in India in Test cricket. The last time we had such a wicket was against New
Zealand in Bengaluru, so I was very excited to bowl on it,” Siraj told the media after stumps on day one.
While the pitch had a lot of green cover in the lead-up to the Test, a lot of it was shaved off, but it still provided enough assistance with the new ball. Siraj used his wobble seam deliveries to great effect, taking three wickets in the morning session to set the tone for the home team.
Coming off a long England series in which Siraj’s persistent efforts helped India earn 2-2 draw, the fast bowler admitted he felt confident having done well against a strong side on their home grounds.
“It was a very competitive series in England and, of course, I got a lot of confidence from it. To perform against a strong side gives a different kind of confidence, and I felt it today as well,” he said.
“I took off for three weeks, then resumed training and bowling and played the India A game. When you play after a long gap, you also learn about your rhythm. It was very hot in Lucknow, but I had a good preparation before the series. I followed up on my rhythm from the England tour, but I enjoyed this break, which I got after several years.
“I had to work hard for these four wickets here as well. Even in England, I had to work hard for getting wickets, it’s not the case that you can get wickets just like that. No one gave me the fifth wicket (today), I had to take all four with hard work,” he said.
India are 121 for two in the first innings, trailing West Indies by 41 runs with eight wickets in hand.
(With PTI Inputs)
