After picking four wickets in the second Test against England, Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj opened up on his ‘finger on lips’ celebration. Siraj was the pick of Indian bowlers as the side bowled out England for 391 in the first innings. After every wicket, Siraj would make a gesture with a finger on his lips. Siraj said that his was a message to all his critics asking them to keep quiet.

“This story (celebration) is for the haters (critics) because they used to say a lot of things about me, like he cannot do this and cannot do that. So, I will only let my ball do the talking and hence this is my new style of celebration,” Siraj said at the virtual press conference at the end of the third day’s play.

England won the toss and put India in to bat. India rode on KL Rahul’s scintillating 129 to put up 364 in the first innings. England scored 391 in reply, taking a 27-run lead. England skipper Joe Root scored 180

and remained unbeaten as his side hauled India’s first innings total.

In the first session of the third day, someone from the crowd hurled a bottle cork at Rahul, but Siraj said that he was unaware about it.

“I did not actually notice what happened but nothing (offensive) was said by the public,” he maintained.

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He said that the plan of the fast bowlers was to be consistent and bowl in one area.

He also underlined the importance of four fast bowlerss in these conditions.

“It was important (to play with fourth fast bowler), because we have taken three wickets at the start and our fast bowlers were effective and bowling consistently in one area.

“The role of fast bowlers is important in England because when you come to England, you want to try things, but our plan here was to be consistent and bowl at one place,” he said.