Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer Mohammed Siraj is enjoying his responsibility of leading the bowling attack of the Faf-du Plessis-led side. The 29-year-old has been a standout performer for the RCB side in this edition of the Indian Premier League.
Mohammed Siraj is the joint-highest wicket-taker alongside Arshdeep Singh in the league with 13 wickets from 7 games at an economy of 7.17. The Hyderabad-born pacer has breathed fire with the new ball in the league stage picking up important wickets in the powerplay.
The Right-arm pacer was once again exceptional with the new ball against the Rajasthan Royals, dismissing Jos Buttler at the very first over of the powerplay. In the video released by the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Siraj was happy with the challenge to bowl with the new ball for his team and try to work more on the scrambled seam, which was his go-to ball in the league.
“I accept any challenge. My role is going well, wickets with the new ball and the ball are coming out of the hand nicely. One ball swung in the first over when it swung into Jaiswal, then concentrated on my scrambled seam as I trust that,” Mohammed Siraj said.
The Chinnaswamy pitch was on the slower side, as the batters find it difficult to bat in the end overs, as the ball didn’t come on to bat for the RCB side. Speaking on the pitch, Siraj said that there was a bit of reverse swing in the end overs of the game.
“There was a bit of reverse and it is not easy to hit sixers off the reverse on a hard length. I’m very happy with the responsibility of leading the attack,” Siraj added.
In the case of 190 runs, Rajasthan Royals were comfortably placed at one stage with Devdutt Padikkal and Yashasvi Jaiswal pacing the chase at a good pace until the 12th over. With Padikkal being dismissed by David Willey, the Rajasthan Royals middle order found it difficult to score in the middle overs.
It looked like all over for the Rajasthan side after the dismissal of Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer, but young Dhruv Jurel took the game deep until the final overs before RCB’s underperforming pacer Harsha Patel held his nerve to defend the total in the final over.
Mohammed Siraj Making A Difference For Them – Irfan Pathan
Former Indian Cricketer Irfan Pathan heaped a praise on Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer Mohammed Siraj stating him as the difference maker in the team. Speaking on Star Sports, Irfan Pathan lauded Siraj as an excellent bowler for RCB and said he has been doing a massive difference for the team in the powerplay.
“Mohammed Siraj has bowled excellently in the power-play this season for RCB. He’s making a difference for them. There is a big and positive difference in his bowling compared to last year,” Irfan Pathan said.
Royal Challengers Bangalore currently have four wins for seven games in the league stage and will look to continue their winning momentum against underperforming Kolkata Knight Riders on April 26 in Chinnaswamy Stadium.