Mohammed Siraj sought a former Indian cricketer's advice after being picked in the ODI team

The selection committee led by MSK Prasad decided to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming ODI series. This decision opened the doors for Mohammed Siraj who was named the replacement for him and is set to join the squad ahead of the first ODI which will start on January 12. Siraj will also make his debut in the format it seems and the cricketer is confident of performing well in the ace pacer’s absence.

Moreover, delighted after the ODI call-up, Siraj straightaway concentrated on what lengths to bowl in Australia and also had a chat with the former Indian cricketer Ashish Nehra. He called the left-arm pacer who retired last year from the game only after a couple of hours of his maiden call-up. Nehra, in return, suggested the youngster to bowl full-length deliveries down under as the Aussies are good enough to play short balls.

“I spoke to Ashish Nehra sir a couple of hours after my call-up. He said go play your natural game. He asked me to bowl fuller deliveries and in the line of the stumps. He said Australian batsmen are very good at playing cut and pull shots,” Siraj said while speaking to the Times of India.

I am ready

Though this is the maiden call-up to the ODI squad for Mohammed Siraj, he has been part of the Indian dressing room before. The 24-year-old has played three T20 Internationals so far and was also the part of the Test team during the home series against the Windies but didn’t get make his debut.

Siraj, however, is ready to fill up Bumrah’s place and take up the responsibility if the opportunity is given. “I am ready to take up the responsibility in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence. I am ready to handle the pace department. He (Bumrah) was amazing in the Test series. He is our star bowler. There will be lots of expectations from me in his absence and I am ready for the series,” he added.

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