India vs England - Excited to bowl alongside Ishant Sharma: Mohammed Siraj

The recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy saw the youngsters coming to the fore for Team India. However, there was one individual who particularly stood out. India's head coach was quick to spot his contribution. After a historic Test series win Down Under, Ravi Shastri highlighted how Mohammed Siraj overcame all the hurdles to emerge victoriously. 

Find of the tour for shoring up the bowling attack the way he did - Mohd Siraj. He fought through personal loss, racial remarks and channelised them to find home in the team huddle ?? pic.twitter.com/qkzpXgqQiX

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) January 22, 2021

The Hyderabad-born pacer made crucial contributions with the ball throughout the series, picking 13 wickets in three matches. As the focus shifts to the four-match Test series against England, Siraj is raring to hit the ground running and continue from where he left off. 

"I just want to perform for my country. I want to help the team win the England series the way I did in Australia. The Australia series was a big opportunity for me. I am sure I will continue the good show against England as well," Mohammed Siraj told Times of India.

During the Aussie Tour, the 26-year-old got an opportunity to observe how the experienced pace-bowling brigade went about their business in red-ball cricket. Having shared the dressing room with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav, Siraj is now thrilled to bowl alongside Ishant Sharma. 

Ishant, who suffered a side strain during the IPL, missed the flight to Australia. The vastly experienced pacer has been named in India's squad for the first two Tests against England, which begins from February 5. 

"I have bowled alongside Bumrah, Shami bhai, and Shardul. They are part of the series (vs England). I am so excited to bowl alongside Ishant Sharma. It is going to be a huge learning curve for me," he added. 

[TOI inputs]