India’s fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has come out strongly in support of struggling teammate Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the three-match ODI series decider against New Zealand in Indore.
Mohammed Siraj has made it clear that the Indian cricket team has full belief in Ravindra Jadeja despite his poor form with both the bat and ball ever since returning to the ODI setup. Notably, the Indian all-rounder was rested for the Australia tour but returned for the South Africa series.
Mohammed Siraj backs Ravindra Jadeja despite a rough patch
Jadeja has gone wicketless in the first two ODIs against New Zealand (0/44 and 0/56) in the ongoing three-match series at home and scored only 4 and 27 runs in two innings. Even in the previous ODI series against South Africa, the left-arm spinner has managed just one wicket at home.
Your daily dose of cricket!
Read Also: Mohammed Siraj issues absolutely blunt statement on his T20 World Cup 2026 snub
His back-to-back failures across the department have led to questions around Jadeja’s form and place in the India ODI team, especially as the team started preparations for the ICC World Cup 2027.
Just one wicket away from a comeback
However, ahead of the ODI series decider against New Zealand, Siraj stressed that there is nothing to worry about and believes that Jadeja is just one breakthrough away from returning to his best form.
Mohammed Siraj said at the pre-match press conference in Indore: “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 hails India’s fight despite Rajkot setback
Meanwhile, Siraj pointed out that the Indian team has actually played solid cricket in both ODI matches against the Black Caps so far. He pointed out that players like KL Rahul and Nitish Kumar Reddy showed fight and kept India in the contest despite early setbacks in Rajkot.
The fast bowler has noted that the overall performance has been positive despite their massive loss to the touring side in Rajkot. However, Siraj admitted that missed chances hurt the team badly. He highlighted how a dropped catch gave New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell a lifeline, which proved costly.
Read Also: Vaibhav Suryavanshi creates history, becomes youngest to score U19 World Cup half-century
‘Missed chances prove costly against New Zealand’
Siraj explained that top-class batters rarely give many chances, and when they get the lifeline, the opposition have to pay heavily, and exactly that happened in the second ODI with Mitchell playing a match-winning knock of an unbeaten 131-run knock in Rajkot.
He further noted, “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.”
Mohammed Siraj backs Arshdeep Singh for Indore decider
When asked about the bowling combination for the Indore decider, Siraj backed Arshdeep Singh to return to the playing XI. However, the Hyderabad-born star made it clear that final decisions rest with the captain, Shubman Gill, and coach, Gautam Gambhir, but he has full faith in Arshdeep.
Siraj signed off by saying, “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.”
