Mohammed Siraj: I trust wobble seam because I get success from it

Tags: India tour of Bangladesh 2022, Bangladesh vs India, 1st Test at Chattogram, Dec 14-18, 2022, India, Bangladesh, Mohammed Siraj

Published on: Dec 16, 2022

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Team India pacer Mohammed Siraj has admitted that he prefers bowling wobble-seam deliveries because he has tasted success with it. The 28-year-old was one of the star performers on Day 2 of the Chattogram Test against Bangladesh

After India posted 404 in their first innings, Siraj claimed 3/14 in nine overs to put Bangladesh on the backfoot in the game. Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav (4/33) was the other standout bowler for the visitors on Thursday, December 15.

Litton Das was one of the Bangladesh batters who was undone by Siraj’s wobble-seam delivery on Day 2 of the Test. He was looking good on 24 off 30, having struck five fours. However, the Indian pacer got one to nip back and casted Das. Bangladesh kept losing wickets and ended the day on 133/8, trailing India by 271 runs on the first innings.

At a press conference following the second day’s play, Siraj was asked about his success with the ball while bowling with a wobbly seam. He replied, "In 2018, the incoming deliveries had completely stopped. At that time my outswing was working better. So I was a bit confused as to why my in-swingers weren't working. Then I decided to use the wobble seam because incoming deliveries are always a problem for batsmen.

“Because outswing is visible more clearly for the batsmen but when it comes in then it becomes difficult for the batsmen. So I used the wobble seam because it is quite effective like an off-cutter, I trust it more because I get success from it," he added.

Just before Siraj bowled Das, he was involved in a heated argument with the Bangladesh batter. The Indian bowler had the last laugh in the contest and celebrating by putting his finger of the lips. Asked about what looked like a serious exchange, Siraj cheekily replied, "No, nothing. I just said, 'this isn't the T20 format, this is Test cricket, play sensible cricket.'"

The Chattogram Test was expected to be a batting beauty. But 18 wickets have fallen in two days. Siraj admitted that there is something for the bowlers, both fast and slow, provided they are willing to bowl straight. He explained, "My approach was to bowl consistent stuff. This the kind of wicket, where if you try too much then you leak runs. So the plan was to bowl consistently at one area at stumps... I will get success.

“If you bowl the stump line, it would be better, because from there the ball is staying low, there is turn also. For fast bowlers also... stump line, there are chances of getting lbw," he added.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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