Mohammed Siraj shone brightly in front of his home crowd in Hyderabad as Team India beat New Zealand by 12 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the ongoing ODI series. The Indian pacer picked up 4 wickets in his fiery spell in front of his home crowd, as his family and friends came to the venue to cheer for him.
The 28-year-old gave away just 46 runs in his 10 overs, and he had the best economy among all Indian bowlers at 4.60 in the first ODI. After the match, BCCI shared a video of Mohammed Siraj’s family and his friends wishing him well after his brilliant performance.
Mohammed Siraj’s Mother Hopeful That The Pacer will Make It Into World Cup 2023 Indian Squad
Mohammed Siraj’s mother, Shabana Begum also came to the venue and she was hopeful that her son can make it to the Indian team for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023. When the local boy Hyderabad’s Mohammed Siraj ran to bowl, during his 10-2-46-4 game-changing spell, mother Shabana Begum hardly moved; she was deeply engrossed in prayer.
“I would like to thank Allah and hope that Siraj can continue to shine for India. Hopefully, he can continue his performances and make it into the World Cup squad,” she said.
The video also showed many of Mohammed Siraj’s friends with whom he played cricket and they wished the Indian pacer good luck for his future. During the course of the game, Mohammed Siraj showed how priceless he is for India as his four wickets helped India win the first ODI by 12 runs. In addition to 46 wickets in 15 Tests, Mohammed Siraj has picked up 37 wickets in 20 ODIs and 11 scalps in eight T20Is.
Mohammed Siraj debuted in ODIs way back in January 2019 but has played sporadically featuring in 20 ODIs where he picked 37 scalps averaging 21 with a best of 4/32 coming in the 3rd inconsequential ODI against Sri Lanka. He had an outstanding 2022 in ODIs where he picked 24 scalps in 15 games averaging 23.46. In 2023, he already has 13 scalps in 4 ODIs averaging a mere 10.62. His economy rate in ODIs is a mere 4.72.
Shubman Gill Scores 208 Before Michael Bracewell’s 140 Almost Guided New Zealand To Win
Chasing 350 runs to win, Michael Bracewell’s 140-run knock almost guided the visitors to a win but they fell short of the finish line courtesy of the Indian bowlers. A solid partnership between Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner kept New Zealand in the hunt. The pair added 162 runs for the seventh wicket, with Mitchell Santner chipping with a 45-ball 57.
Despite losing his partner, Michael Bracewell kept things moving and was the final man to depart. He was trapped LBW for 140 off 78 balls by Shardul Thakur in the final over as New Zealand fell short by 12 runs in the 350-run chase.
Earlier in the game, skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat first, as he and Shubman Gill got off to a steady start. The ‘Hitman’ finished as the second-highest run-scorer on the day at 34 runs, behind Shubman Gill whose magnificent performance saw the youngster score 208 runs in just 149 balls.
Shubman Gill extended his free-scoring run and smashed a sensational double century, becoming the youngest in the world to do so in ODIs. His majestic 208 off just 149 balls took India to 349/8. Shubman Gill hit a staggering 19 fours and 9 sixes in his scintillating knock.
He hit a hat-trick of sixes in the 49th over to bring his 200. At age of 23, Shubman Gill has become the fifth Indian male cricketer to register an ODI double century. He also registered the highest-ever individual score against New Zealand in ODIs.
Up next, the two teams will travel to Raipur for the second ODI, as India will be looking to seal the series and make it back-to-back series wins having defeated Sri Lanka earlier, whereas, the Black Caps will be looking to bounce back to winning ways.
Brief Scores: India 349/8 (Shubhman Gill 208, Rohit Sharma 34; Daryl Mitchell 2-30) won over New Zealand: 337 (Michael Bracewell 140, Mitchell Santner 57, Mohammed Siraj 4/46).