India pacer Mohammed Siraj made it clear he has no doubts about Ravindra Jadeja’s form ahead of the series-deciding third ODI against New Zealand on Sunday, saying the senior spinner is just one wicket away from rediscovering his best. “I don’t think there is any concern about Jadeja’s form. It is a matter of just one wicket. Once you get that breakthrough, you will see a different bowler altogether,” Siraj said at the pre-match press conference.
Jadeja has gone wicketless in the first two ODIs, returning figures of 0 for 44 and 0 for 56, and picked up only one wicket in the previous home series against South Africa. Despite that, Siraj stressed the team’s confidence remains intact. “We played very well in both matches. In the first ODI, our bowling and batting were very good. In the second match, even after losing early wickets, KL Rahul batted well and Nitish Reddy also contributed,” he said. Reflecting on the second ODI defeat, Siraj admitted missed chances proved costly, especially against Daryl Mitchell. “There was an opportunity. When the catch dropped, if we had taken that chance, the result could have been different. World-class batters don’t give you many opportunities, and when they get one, they make you pay,” he said. On Mitchell’s consistent success against India, Siraj said the plans were clear but execution fell short. “We tried our best to get him out and had plans, especially for the middle overs. But again, it comes down to taking that one opportunity. If we had taken that wicket, the scenario would have been different,” he added. Siraj also played down any pressure in the camp with the series level. “The team environment is very good. There is strong input from the seniors. Wins and losses happen, but the atmosphere in the dressing room is very healthy, especially as we prepare for bigger tournaments,” he said. Asked about Arshdeep Singh potentially sharing the new ball at the small Indore ground, Siraj backed the left-armer while leaving the call to the management. “Arshdeep has bowled very well and took wickets with the new ball. The captain and coach decide the roles, but as a bowler, if someone is taking wickets at the other end, my job is to build pressure and not give runs. I have full confidence in him,” Siraj said. He also praised Harshit Rana’s impact, saying, “Harshit has also done well, taken wicket upfront. It’s good for him that he is getting an opportunity ahead of the World Cup.” On missing out on the T20 World Cup squad, Siraj said he would have liked to feature but accepted the decision. “I would have loved to play, but workload management could be the reason,” he said. With Holkar Stadium expected to favour batters, Siraj said his plan would remain simple. “It is a small ground and usually a high-scoring venue. As a bowler, if you bowl stump to stump, you always have options like LBW or bowled. Even if you miss, there is still a wicket chance,” he said. India and New Zealand are tied 1-1 heading into Sunday’s decider.
