Shreyas Iyer Commends Mohammed Siraj's Fearless Spirit After ODI Series Triumph
Iyer's Praise for Siraj's Performance
Tauranga [New Zealand], November 15: Following India's 22-run victory over New Zealand in the fifth and final ODI, stand-in captain Shreyas Iyer lauded Mohammed Siraj for his remarkable performance. Iyer characterized Siraj as a 'fearless' player and an 'unflinching character,' especially after India secured the series 3-1. Siraj, who had limited chances in one-day matches recently, made a significant impact upon his return to the squad.
Iyer noted that Siraj displayed no signs of being out of practice and capitalized on his opportunity with a strong opening spell. During the post-match press conference, he likened Siraj's fearless nature to that of a horse in battle, commending his dedication to the team.
"I see Mohammed Siraj as that fearless horse in a war, eager to engage in every battle. Although he missed a few games earlier, he seized his chance today and met expectations. We all recognize Siraj's contributions to the country and his performances wherever he plays," Iyer remarked.
He also emphasized Siraj's vibrant energy on the field, highlighting his fielding skills and impressive throws, stating that the pacer inspires his fellow bowlers. "It's uplifting to witness his efforts and movement on the field, especially after bowling spells, along with those remarkable throws. He is indeed an unflinching character in our team, motivating all the bowlers," he added.
Iyer addressed the difficulties Indian batters encounter while playing abroad, particularly the limited practice on center wickets and adapting to match conditions. When asked about the team's rigorous travel schedule over the past several months and its potential effects on batting performance, Iyer acknowledged that practicing in confined nets overseas complicates the batters' ability to judge shot trajectories and distances.
"That's a valid point. We lack practice on center wickets, making it hard to predict where the ball will go when we strike it. When we travel abroad, we often practice in small nets, leading to a monotonous routine. In India, we have open nets, allowing us to gauge the ball's trajectory better, which is a challenge we face overseas," he explained.
He further noted that the constant travel, matches, and practice sessions can be draining, impacting players' performances. "If you're consistently playing, with travel and matches interspersed with practice, it can be exhausting, and it does reflect in our performance. We are human, not machines. However, as long as we continue to receive opportunities, we aim to keep winning, as victory is what we strive for," Iyer concluded.
India triumphed over New Zealand by 22 runs in the fifth ODI at Bay Oval, clinching the series 3-1 and marking their third ODI series victory on New Zealand soil. After being bowled out for 209 in 42.1 overs, India showcased a disciplined bowling effort, led by Arshdeep Singh with figures of 3/30. Axar Patel and Mohammed Siraj each took two wickets, while Dean Foxcroft was the top scorer for New Zealand with 31 runs as the hosts were dismissed for 187 in 48.1 overs. Ishan Kishan and Axar Patel contributed 46 runs each for India, while New Zealand's Mitchell Santner and Jacob Duffy each claimed three wickets.