Siraj says Dhoni's talk helped me earn Test squad spot
What's the story
To be handed a Test cap is the biggest honor, an upcoming cricketer can hope for, and this is what has been the fortune of pacer Mohammed Siraj.
The son of an auto-rickshaw driver, Siraj has been called up in the Test squad for India's two-match series against the West Indies.
Siraj says that it was Dhoni's pep talk that helped him improve.
Rise
Siraj has seen a meteoric rise in past three years
For someone who started playing with a cricket ball in 2015, to get called up for the Test side in 2018 is nothing short of miraculous.
Siraj was playing for Hyderabad's Under-23 side in 2015, got called up for the Ranji team the same year, and this year was bought by RCB for Rs. 2.6cr.
He was also phenomenal for India A side.
Dhoni
Which pep talk from Dhoni helped Siraj improve?
Siraj said that during his maiden international appearance for India, MS Dhoni had given him a pep talk that went on to have a positive impact on his bowling.
When Siraj was being hit all around the park, Dhoni walked up to him and told him to decide on the line and length of his ball, keeping the batsman's footwork in mind.
Kohli
Siraj reveals the advice Virat Kohli gave him
Siraj also revealed the conversation he had with Virat Kohli before his T20I debut for India.
According to Siraj, Kohli asked him not to worry, and that they would be speaking on the field.
Kohli reportedly also told Siraj on the field that he has seen him bowl earlier and he should continue like that and not experiment too much.