London: India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will be seen in action in the fourth Test against England, fast bowler Mohammed Siraj confirmed here.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Siraj said, "Yes, Bumrah is playing the next match. That adds a lot of strength to our attack."
The confirmation comes as a boost for India, especially with injuries creating uncertainty around other pacers like Akash Deep, who is being monitored by physios after experiencing discomfort during training.
Siraj mentioned that Akash Deep did bowl in the morning, but full feedback from the physios is awaited. Anshul Kamboj has joined the squad as cover.
On workload concerns, Siraj brushed off the ongoing debate, stating that representing India gives him all the energy he needs. "There’s no secret. When I play for India, that itself is my biggest motivation. I want to go to bed every night feeling that I gave my 100%, no matter what the result is," he said.
While the Indian pace unit had settled into a rhythm in the previous Test, injuries have forced a re-think. Siraj said the team is adjusting day by day and focusing on sticking to good bowling areas, especially considering England’s patient batting approach. "In the last match, they played with great discipline. That’s the beauty of Test cricket," he said.
Asked about the bowling combination and Kuldeep Yadav’s potential inclusion, Siraj said he was not aware of final decisions but trusted the team management to pick what suits best. "Whatever combination is good for the team, I support it," he said.
On managing his own workload across this grueling series, Siraj credited good fitness and a single-minded goal: "Touchwood, I’ve remained strong. The number of overs I bowl gets recorded somewhere, but I just think about making the most of every opportunity for India."
He also acknowledged drawing inspiration from opposition players like Ben Stokes, who bowled long spells at Lord’s. "Bowling two 10-over spells is not easy. Hats off to him," Siraj noted, adding that good performances- no matter which tea- always offer lessons.
Speaking on his own batting at Lord’s, where he and Ravindra Jadeja built a promising partnership, Siraj admitted feeling heartbroken. "I felt like I couldn’t get out. I was so confident. Even though I hit the middle of the bat, I still got out. If we had won that match, it would have made a huge difference."
Despite setbacks, Siraj reiterated his commitment: "Whether I get wickets or not, my plan remains the same- give 100% every time I step on the field."
