India vs West Indies | MS Dhoni helped me take my game to another level, says Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj is enjoying life at the moment as the 24-year old was handed his maiden call-up to the Indian Test team for the two-match Test series against West Indies. And in the moment of glory, Siraj, who has already made his T20I debut last year, spoke about how captain Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni helped him earn a place in the longest format of the game.

"It is a dream come true for me. I wanted to represent my country in Tests and knew I will be able to impress the selectors someday. I am so happy. I have done well for India A recently and had an idea about my selection in the Test team.

"Batsmen ke footwork ko dhyaansedekhaur fir line aur length change kario (Watch the batsman's footwork closely and then change the line and length accordingly)," Siraj said while recalling the conversation with the 2011 World Cup winning skipper. "His pep talk has helped me take my game to another level," Siraj told Timesofindia.com in an exclusive interview.

The lad from Hyderabad was picked after he put up an impressive display with the India A team in the recently-concluded quadrangular series, which included Australia A and South Africa A as well. Siraj recorded 10-wicket hauls against both opponents during the series.

In the absence of experienced pacers - Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, the RCB pacer is keen to make it to the playing eleven in the opening Test against the Caribbean outfit, which will start on October 4 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. The second Test will be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad from October 12.

“I am really excited to wear the white Indian jersey. I have performed well for India A recently and want to carry forward that momentum against the West Indies," the Hyderabad pacer said.