Mohammed Siraj said a two-month break affected his bowling rhythm and pace during India’s Test series in Sri Lanka. After struggling in the Duleep Trophy first innings, Siraj regained his rhythm and control in the second innings, helping East Zone win the title.

New Delhi: Mohammed Siraj believes an unusually long two-month break affected his bowling rhythm and contributed to his loss of pace during India’s recent Test series in Sri Lanka.

Siraj returned to domestic action for the Duleep Trophy final after India’s Test assignment in Sri Lanka and initially struggled to find his usual pace and rhythm at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

The pacer conceded 140 runs in 25 overs in the first innings after the East Zone chose to bat but produced a much sharper performance in the second innings. He bowled with greater pace and control, finishing with 1-47 from 16 overs as the East Zone went on to defeat the South Zone and claim the title on first-innings lead.

Siraj said his difficulties were linked to the disruption caused by his extended break before the Sri Lanka series. “I’m purely a rhythm bowler. If I’m not in sync, I can’t explode through the crease. That was the struggle in Sri Lanka – my run-up felt disjointed. Some strides were too short, others were too long, and that broke my flow and cost me pace,” Siraj was quoted as saying by Cricinfo.