Birmingham: Indian pacer Mohammad Siraj has said that it is important for a bowler to be patient when a batsman has taken an aggressive approach. Jonny Bairstow (106 off 140 balls) took an aggressive stance during England’s first innings on the third day of the ongoing fifth Test against India on Sunday and scored a century in the third consecutive Test. With the help of his century, England scored 284 runs in the first innings in reply to India’s 416. Bairstow took an aggressive approach after a slow start and hit 14 fours and two sixes in his innings.

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“Staying On Your Basics”

By far the most successful bowler in the match for the visiting team, Mohammad Siraj (4 for 66) said the Indian bowlers were not bothered by Bairstow’s stormy nature. Mohammad Siraj said after the end of the third day’s play on Sunday, “As bowlers we just have to be patient. Bairstow has been in form and has been batting aggressively since the New Zealand series. So we knew that his confidence was up.” He said, “Our plan was simple to stick to our basics. We have to believe in our ability, no matter what he does, it was just a matter of one ball – be it inswing or seaming off the pitch.”

Mohammad Siraj said that Indian bowlers have done their preparation well

This fast bowler said, “It is normal for a batsman to run many times in England, you just have to be patient and focus on the process.” Mohammad Siraj said that the Indian bowlers have done their preparation well and He is aware of the weak aspects of the England batsmen. Siraj said, “When we saw the series against New Zealand, we realized that each of our bowlers bowls at more than 140 kmph which they (New Zealand bowlers) did not have. We have the potential and we played against England last year as well. So it is a win-win situation for us as we are aware of their weak points. And that is the reason we got success.”

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“…then a lot of runs would have been scored against us.”

India made 125 for three in the second innings to take their total lead to 257 runs. Mohammad Siraj feels it will be difficult for the England batsmen to chase down any target of more than 350 in the second innings at Edgbaston. “In the first innings, the pitch was initially helpful to the bowlers but later it became flat. So our plan was to bowl in one area consistently. Had we taken things easily, we would have scored a lot of runs against us.” Siraj said, “The ball is also staying low. So it will be helpful for us in the second innings.”

“Not different as player and captain”

At the end of the third day’s play, Pujara was playing 50 while Rishabh Pant was scoring 30 runs. Siraj said, “He (Pujara) is a warrior. He did it in Australia and here also he is doing his job. He is there whenever the team needs him. And is always ready to work whenever the conditions are tough. Referring to caretaker captain Jasprit Bumrah. Hyderabad fast bowler Mohammad Siraj said, “As a player and as a captain, he is no different. He is always ready to help. Whenever I do something wrong, he tries to explain to me how to bowl in certain conditions.