Virat Kohli Took Away My Pressure In Debut Game, Says Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj earned a call-up to the Indian cricket team for the home series against the Windies beginning Wednesday. Both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah were rested from the 15-man squad paving the way for Mohammed Siraj's selection. Mohammed Siraj credited Indian captain Virat Kohli for easing pressure off him in his debut T20I match for India. "When I was selected for T20Is against New Zealand last year, I had a chat with Kohli bhai. I was nervous. He said 'Tension mat le, ground pe baat karenge. Bass ready reh kal khelne ke liye' (Don't worry, we will talk on the field. Just be ready for your debut match)". Siraj already played for India in three Twenty20 Internationals, each coming against different oppositions (New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh)", he told Times of India.

Siraj has an impressive first-class record with 97 wickets to his name in 20 matches averaging 18.92. He has taken 52 wickets in 27 List A matches averaging 21.69.

Kohli will lead the Indian cricket team for the upcoming two-match Test series. Kohli, who was rested from the recently-concluded Asia Cup 2018 in UAE, will return to international action with the Test series. However, there was no place in the team for opener Shikhar Dhawan, who struggled in the Tests against England. Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal have been included in the squad while fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been rested.

Murali Vijay, who was dropped for the final two Tests in England, was once again ignored while Dinesh Karthik and Karun Nair -- both of whom were in the India squad for the Test series in England -- have also been left out.

Hanuma Vihari, who also impressed on debut in the final Test at The Oval, London, also found a place in India's 15-man squad.

Topics mentioned in this article

India Cricket Team West Indies Cricket Team Mohammed Siraj Virat Kohli Cricket