Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar showered praise on Mohammed Siraj, stating the fast bowler brings a lot of cleverness with the new ball. Siraj played his maiden ODI match on his home ground at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad against New Zealand and delivered for the home team.
The right-arm fast bowler returned with impressive figures of 4-46 in his quota of four overs to play an instrumental role in the team’s 12-run win. Siraj was once again brilliant with the new ball as he got the ball to move both ways in the PowerPlay overs.
Siraj accounted for Devon Conway and New Zealand skipper Tom Latham to put his team in front. The fast bowler used the short ball to get the better of both left-handers. Furthermore, Siraj took two wickets in his final over and gave a crucial breakthrough of Mitchell Santner to break his 162 runs partnership with Michael Bracewell.
Siraj has been performing consistently for the Indian team in the recent past and he has definitely grown in confidence.
Sunil Gavaskar told Sports Today: “Outstanding is the word because with the new ball what he brings to the table is not only hostility. Siraj brings a lot of cleverness with the new ball. Look at the way he shaped his bouncers just outside the left-hander’s off-stump. So the batsman had to go all round to try and hit it towards the mid-wicket area, not able to control it and you got a couple of wickets for that.”
He added: “He has got the great ability to get the ball nip back in which is the wobble seam ball. Because he realises that he cannot get normal in swing, because the wrist position changing will mean his outswinger will have a bit of a problem.”
Siraj has been right on the money for the Men in Blue and he is going to hold the key for the Rohit Sharma-led team. The second ODI between India and New Zealand will be played in Raipur on Saturday.
