India speedster Mohammed Siraj admitted it took him time to accept the way things took place at Lord’s, a slow-burn Test that went for England on the final day. India’s No. 11 had battled for 64 minutes and 29 balls that day along with Ravindra Jadeja, their last-wicket partnership giving India a little hope. But Shoaib Bashir did the job for his side as India lost by 22 runs.

“To get out after middling the ball…” Siraj said ahead of the fourth Test. “The way we were batting, me and Jaddu bhai, it never felt like I could get out. I had this much confidence from batting there that I could only get out if I made a mistake. Unfortunately, I got out even after middling the ball. That was heartbreaking.”

“At one point, it looked like we would lose by 80 runs. Then we fought hard. We even took it past Tea. That hurts more. Had we lost by 80, it would have been fine. To get that close and lose is heartbreaking. But after a while I told myself the series is not yet over. There are still two more Tests. These matches should be fun,” he further added.

READ HERE: “The reality is I was tired” – Jasprit Bumrah on not celebrating five-fer

However, Mohammed Siraj did well in the Lord’s. He was at his best, especially against Joe Root.

“I have been bowling very well, but luck hasn’t been a little on my side,” he said. “As a bowler, I of course want wickets every time I bowl well, but you have to tell yourself that if not in this match, you will get it in the next. Upar wala bhi dekh raha hai [The man upstairs is watching]. If he has brought me this far, he will take me ahead as well.”

“I can’t get irritated if I don’t get wickets. Even in the last match, it was so frustrating when I beat Joe Root, drew edges, did everything, but the only thing missing was his wicket. But I have to tell myself to keep it simple and keep bowling good balls, and the results will come,” he again shared.

However, Siraj also said what keeps him from straying. No chasing wickets with fuller balls, no breaking patterns out of impatience, is the key for him. He has played 24 of India’s last 27 Tests and already bowled 109 overs in this series so far as well.

READ HERE: Shubman Gill Takes Sly Dig At His Critics After India Win At Edgbaston

“If I go searching, I will leak runs,” he said. “My plan is to stay consistent and keep hitting the good areas. If I have to get wickets, I will get them from there. If I end up just building pressure instead, it could get us wickets from the opposite end. So at that time the mind doesn’t wander to my wickets.”

“I am thankful God has kept me healthy, touch wood. Workload is one thing, and it goes in the book that Siraj has bowled this many overs, but for me, it is just another opportunity. I want to do well and want to help win matches for the country. I want to play as many matches as I can, and all I want is to give my 100 percent. That when I go to bed at night, I shouldn’t feel I could have done more, no matter the results,” Mohammed Siraj concluded.