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Mohammed Siraj’s performance against RCB saw every thing: pace, accuracy and intent, something that did not go unnoticed by Virender Sehwag.
Mohammed Siraj celebrates the dismissal of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Devdutt Padikkal (Picture credit: AP)
Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag has praised Mohammed Siraj, saying that the latter could have picked one other wicket if he bowled 4 overs on a trot, lauding the ‘fire’ inside him after being released from Royal Challengers Bengaluru in addition to missing out on the Champions Trophy squad.
Siraj‘s performance against Bengaluru saw every thing: pace, accuracy and intent, something that didn’t go unnoticed by Sehwag, who praised the previous’s hunger and fire.
Sehwag, speaking on Cricbuzz, identified Siraj’s capability to make an impact with the brand new ball and said that the latter was fiddling with an added edge, not only on account of the prospect of facing Bengaluru, but fuelled by his omission from India’s Champions Trophy team as well.
“He maintained his record with the brand new ball in Chinnaswamy. He gave away only 12 or 13 runs in the primary three overs. He could’ve probably bowled the fourth over at the identical time, too; he may need taken one other wicket,” Sehwag said.
“He has that fireplace. And somewhere, I feel he’s hurt that he wasn’t a part of the Champions Trophy squad, and I saw that fireplace. That’s what we expect from a young fast bowler,” Sehwag added.
Siraj wasn’t retained by RCB ahead of IPL 2025 and in his first game back on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, he ensured that they felt his absence.
After conceding a 4 to Virat Kohli in his first over, Siraj bounced back in style, removing Devdutt Padikkal for less than 4 before dismissing Phil Salt with a superb ball that shattered the off stump.
Siraj later said that his break from international cricket gave him the time to reflect on his mistakes and work on his bowling and fitness.
After a lacklustre Test tour of Australia earlier this 12 months, Siraj was omitted of India’s Champions Trophy team.
“I used to be playing matches consistently, so was not realising the mistakes I used to be making. Within the break, I focused on my bowling, on my fitness,” Siraj said on the post-match presentation ceremony.
After linking up with the Gujarat team, Siraj sought advice from former India pacer and coach Ashish Nehra as well.
