Rohit Sharma lauds Indian bowlers, praises Siraj’s attitude ahead of Boxing Day Test

Ahead of the crucial fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Indian skipper Rohit Sharma expressed confidence in his bowling unit, particularly highlighting Mohammed Siraj’s “great attitude.” With the series tied at 1-1, the performance of India’s bowling attack will be critical in the remainder of the series as they aim to take 20 wickets and gain a decisive advantage.

Rohit emphasized the need for all bowlers to step up, especially with Jasprit Bumrah currently leading the attack with 21 wickets at an astonishing average of 10.90, including two five-wicket hauls. While Bumrah has been in exceptional form, the other pacers, including Mohammed Siraj (13 wickets at an average of 23.92), Harshit Rana (four wickets at an average of 50.75), and Nitish Kumar Reddy (three wickets at an average of 41.00), have faced challenges, partly due to inexperience. Rohit acknowledged that despite their struggles, the bowlers have been working hard and deserve the team’s faith.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Rohit underlined the importance of backing players even during tough phases. He emphasized that instilling confidence in the bowlers and encouraging them to maintain a positive attitude is key to turning around performances.

“Anyone can have tough games or series, but that does not mean they are not good enough to perform at this level. What matters most is the attitude, and Siraj has shown a great one throughout this tour,” Rohit said. He added that the team’s focus remains on encouraging bowlers to keep running hard and trust their abilities, as they have delivered in the past.

Also See: India vs Australia Schedule | India Cricket Schedule | Australia Cricket Schedule

Rohit also pointed out that while opportunities have gone amiss in the series, he remains confident in his bowling unit. He praised Bumrah for capitalizing on his purple patch and noted that bowlers like Siraj are well aware of the need to raise their game to complement Bumrah’s brilliance.