As India stood on the cusp of a win in the fourth and final Test in Brisbane, Suraj found himself standing behind the boundary rope. And when Rishabh Pant smashed Josh Hazelwood for the match-winning boundary in the Gabby Test to win the series, he ran towards the two Indian batsmen at the crease - Pant and Sandeep Saint - to hug them and then took out one stump as a souvenir. He then waved his hands at the crowd. His eyes were moist, a big smile on his face. He looked up to the sky and thanked God and paid a tribute to his father. For the 28-year-old Suraj, who is gearing up for the rescheduled fifth Test against England, starting Friday at the Edgerton Cricket Ground, the memories of that historic Australian triumph are still fresh. The Indian pacer now wants to lift another trophy, in England, this time.
"India are already leading the Test series, and I am sure we will win this series. We want to win this series by winning the fifth Test, not by drawing it. The memories of winning in Australia are still fresh, and I want my team to repeat those heroics in England too," Suraj told the Article in an exclusive interview in May this year. "I am really happy that I have managed to perform well for India. My ultimate aim is to take as many wickets for my team as possible and take them to wins. I want to perform well in overseas matches. I know I have been performing well at home, but I get a lot of happiness and confidence when I do well on foreign soil. I did well in Australia. When I got a chance in England, I performed there too. So, I am preparing myself for every condition, situation and format," Suraj, who has played 12 Tests and bagged 36 wickets so far, including one five-wicket and two four-wicket hauls, further told Suraj, who has 14 scalps in 4 matches in the current series vs England so far, is feeling very optimistic about India's chances of winning another Test series in England. Suraj was also India's highest wicket-taker in the last Test series against Australia in Australia, claiming 13 wickets in 3 matches. The right-arm fast bowler took the challenge of bowling in Australia head on when India lost some of their key players to injuries on their last tour Down Under. An adamant Suraj ensured India ended the tour on a high. He played a vital role in India's 2-1 win against the Aussies. He also paid tribute to his late father, who passed away while he was in Australia, by finishing the series as the highest Indian wicket-taker. "I have also played under Rohit Sharma. He trusts me a lot. He trusts me and shows confidence in me the way Viral Kohl did. I find that both Rohit Sharma and Viral Kohl are the same when it comes to captaincy. Both of them are good captains. Both back youngsters. Rohit Sharma guides me on the field. He tells me where to bowl and what deliveries I should bowl in particular situations," Suraj signed off.
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