India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has come out in strong support of his struggling teammate Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the three-match ODI series decider against New Zealand in Indore.
Mohammed Siraj has made it clear that despite his poor form with both bat and ball since his return to the ODI setup, the Indian cricket team has full confidence in Ravindra Jadeja. Notably, the Indian all-rounder was rested for the Australia tour but returned for the South Africa series.
Mohammed Siraj supported Ravindra Jadeja despite bad conditions
Jadeja has gone wicketless in the first two ODIs (0/44 and 0/56) against New Zealand in the ongoing three-match series at home and has scored only 4 and 27 runs in the two innings. Even in the last ODI series against South Africa, the left-arm spinner had picked up just one wicket on home soil.
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His consistent failures across the department have led to questions being raised over Jadeja’s form and place in India’s ODI team, especially as the team begins preparations for the ICC World Cup 2027.
Just one wicket away from comeback
However, ahead of the ODI series decider against New Zealand, Siraj insisted there is nothing to worry about and believes Jadeja is just one breakthrough away from returning to his best form.
“I don’t think there are any concerns about Jadeja’s form. It’s just a matter of one wicket. Once you get that success, you will see a different bowler,” Mohammed Siraj said at the pre-match press conference in Indore.
Siraj lauds India’s fight despite Rajkot setback
Meanwhile, Siraj pointed out that the Indian team has played solid cricket in both the ODI matches against the Black Caps so far. He said that players like KL Rahul and Nitish Kumar Reddy showed fight and kept India in the contest despite early setbacks in Rajkot.
The fast bowler said that despite the heavy defeat against the visiting team of Rajkot, the overall performance has been positive. However, Siraj admitted that the team suffered a lot due to missed chances. He highlighted how a dropped catch that cost New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell a life proved costly.
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‘Missing opportunities against New Zealand proved costly’
Siraj pointed out that top-class batsmen are rarely given many chances, and when they get a lease of life, the opponent has to pay a heavy price, and that is exactly what happened in the second ODI, when Mitchell played a match-winning inning of 131 not out in Rajkot.
He further added, “There was a chance. When the catch fell, if we had taken that chance, the result could have been different. World-class batsmen don’t give you many chances, and when they get a chance, they make you pay.”
Mohammed Siraj supports Arshdeep Singh for Indore decider
When asked about the bowling combination for the decider in Indore, Siraj backed Arshdeep Singh to return to the playing eleven. However, the Hyderabad-born star made it clear that the final decision rests with captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir, but he has full faith in Arshdeep.
Siraj said, “Arshdeep has bowled very well and has taken wickets with the new ball. The captain and the coach decide the roles, but as a bowler, if someone is taking wickets at the other end, my job is to create pressure and not give runs. I have full confidence in him.”