India’s fast bowler Mohammed Siraj revealed his heart was racing when Shikhar Dhawan asked him to defend 15 runs in the final over of the first ODI against West Indies at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad on Friday.

However, Siraj was able to hold his nerves in the end as India won the thrilling contest by three runs on Friday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Siraj said he was backing his yorkers and he had the confidence to deliver the goods for the team.

The right-arm pacer who has grown in confidence since making his debut was put under pressure after he was hit for a boundary by Romario Shepherd on the third ball of the over. However, Siraj was able to make a solid comeback and delivered the goods for the team.

Five runs were required off the final ball for West Indies but Siraj bowled a perfect yorker to seal the game for the tourists. Furthermore, Sanju Samson also made a good save while diving to his left otherwise it could have gone for four byes.

“I was backing my yorkers to come good in the last over,” Siraj was quoted as saying during an interview with Shreyas Iyer after the match.

“My heart was racing, but I was confident I could win the game for the team,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj is India’s lead pacer on the tour of the West Indies in the absence of Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, who both have rested. Thus, Siraj is expected to handle the pressure situations for the team and skipper Shikhar Dhawan is expected to turn to him in tense situations.
Furthermore, Siraj accounted for Shai Hope and also got the big wicket of West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran, who was looking dangerous. India will look to continue the good show in the rest of the series and claim the series against a beleaguered West Indies team.