Mohammed Siraj has made an amazing comeback in his career. He is one of India’s leading pacers in red-ball cricket after a dream run in Australia earlier this year. In IPL 2021 also, he was the main man for Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Mohammed Siraj against Australlia
Siraj, who was given a debut in the absence of the injured first-choice pacemen, was one of the main architects of India’s famous 2-1 Test series win over Australia. With 13 wickets in three Tests he was India’s highest wicket-taker and third overall behind Australia’s Pat Cummins (21) and Josh Hazlewood (17) who both appeared in all four matches of the series.
The right-arm pacer, who made his Test debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the Boxing Day Test, has had a very emotional tour. He lost his father a few days after he arrived in Australia but couldn’t return home to attend his burial due to strict quarantine rules that would have taken a lot of time.
The Evolution of Mohammed Siraj
In 2019, the Siraj made nine appearances for RCB and got thrashed for 38.42 runs on an average, per game. He only just seven wickets throughout the season and his economy rate of 9.55 made the franchise fans scratch their heads thinking about the reason why he was still around. He was arguably one of biggest reasons why his squad would struggle to stand toe-to-toe against the competition.
RCB vs KKR – IPL 2019
Everyone remembers the match between RCB and KKR in IPL 2019, when Russell almost finished the career of Mohammed Siraj. Kohli handed him the last over with 19 runs needed for Kolkata Knight Riders to win. Mighty Andre Russell was on the strike. Siraj was so intimidated by Russell’s hitting that he ended up bowling a second beamer to him and the umpire promptly told Kohli to take his bowler out of attack at Chinnaswamy in 2019. Russell on that day went on to make 13-ball 48 to clinch the win for KKR.
Siraj pulled a lot of hard work during the first Covid-forced lockdown in India for his transformation as a bowler.
“To be honest, during the lockdown before the last IPL (in the UAE), I worked very hard on my fitness and bowling during thattime,” he said during an interaction. “The last IPL was very important for me because the previous two editions hadn’t gone too well for me. My performance wasn’t up to the mark, so in that sense it was important that I did well the last time around.”Siraj said.
RCB vs KKR – IPL 2021
In the match between RCB and KKR in IPL 2021. Russell and Siraj were against each other again. Mohammed Siraj bowled an incredible over against Andre Russell, giving just 1 run in the penultimate over. Siraj kept the ball off-wide and also bowled yorkers to deny Russell any chance of hitting a four or six. Russell could not score any runs in the first 5 balls, after failing to clear the boundaries and also rejected to take a run. With giving just one run, Siraj took the victory far away from Kolkata Knight Riders.
Mohammed Siraj thanked Virat Kohli
India pacer Mohammed Siraj attributed his growth in international cricket to the support he has been receiving from his India and Royal Challengers Bangalore captain, Virat Kohli. The Hyderabad pacer said Kohli has been standing by him through thick and thin of his career.
“Virat has supported me through thick and thin. He has always been there for me in all circumstances. I remember how I was crying in the hotel room. Vrirat bhaiya came to my room and hugged me tightly and said ‘I am with you, don’t worry’. Those words encouraged me a lot. He played just one Test on the tour but his messages and calls motivated me.” Siraj said in an interview.
