Sanjay Manjrekar gave a special mention to one of Team India’s finest players after Rohit Sharma and Co. thrashed New Zealand in the 3rd ODI to seal the white-ball series 3-0 at Indore.
Indian opener Shubman Gill emerged as the standout performer in the recently concluded series between India and New Zealand. After smashing a record-breaking double ton in the series opener, opener Shubman Gill brought up his fourth century in the third One Day International (ODI) against the Black Caps at Indore on Tuesday.
Sanjay Manjrekar : Mohammed Siraj’s Growth Has Been Phenomenal But He Was Hardly Mentioned At Post Match Ceremony
At a time when the cricket fraternity is busy singing the praises of the Indian opener, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has put the spotlight on one of Shubman Gill’s teammates.
Reflecting on India’s series win over New Zealand after the 3rd ODI at Indore, former cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar spoke at length about the rapid rise of Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj.
Delivering the goods for Team India in the absence of pace ace Jasprit Bumrah, speed merchant Mohammed Siraj has become Rohit Sharma’s go-to bowler in World Cup 2023 year. Giving credit where credit is due, former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out that Mohammed Siraj was hardly mentioned in the post-match ceremony.
“In the post-match, he was hardly mentioned. Hardly talked about. But yes, when I have to look at 1 player who is promising a lot. One player whose growth has been phenomenal. I’ve used this term many times. He at the moment looks like a complete seam bowler. And that says a lot about any performer and not just this format. In T20Is and Test matches as well,” Manjrekar said.
India’s pace sensation Mohammed Siraj has capped off a superb 12 months by claiming the No 1 spot on the ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings for bowlers from New Zealand seamer Trent Boult.
It has been a meteoric rise for Mohammed Siraj, who only returned to India’s ODI setup in February last year following a three-year hiatus without playing a 50-over match at the international level. Since then Mohammed Siraj has scalped 38 wickets from 20 matches to be one of India’s most consistent pacers.
Sanjay Manjrekar: India Have Found Mohammed Siraj Who Will Be Available For A Big Pressure Match
With India taking an unassailable lead over the Black Caps at Raipur, pacer Mohammed Siraj was rested for the third ODI against New Zealand on Tuesday. Pacer Mohammed Siraj bagged five wickets in two matches against the Black Caps.
“Shubman Gill got a double hundred and a hundred. But when you look at the quality and against the toughest opposition in the world – big pressure match. Mohammed Siraj is somebody that India have found, who will be there when India need him,” Manjrekar added.
Mohammed Siraj picked up nine wickets and was the leading wicket-taker in the three-match series against Sri Lanka, including a four-wicket haul in the final match. Mohammed Siraj, who has been terrific in white-ball cricket over the last few months, claimed 4/32 in the third ODI against Sri Lanka.
Mohammed Siraj debuted in ODIs way back in January 2019 but has played sporadically featuring in 21 ODIs where he picked 38 scalps averaging 20.71 with a best of 4/32 coming in the 3rd inconsequential ODI against Sri Lanka.
In 2022, he was India’s highest wicket-taker in ODIs, having taken 24 scalps in 15 matches at an average of 23.46 and an economy rate of 4.61. His best bowling figures last year were 3/29.
In five matches this year, he has become the world’s leading wicket-taker in ODIs. He has taken 14 wickets at an average of 10.57 and an economy rate of 3.83. His best bowling figures this year are 4/32.