Mohammed Siraj is making a difference for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the ongoing IPL 2023 tournament, said Irfan Pathan after RCB’s home win over Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 23, 2023.
RCB had been put into bat first by Sanju Samson, RR captain who had won the toss. Trent Boult gave them the perfect start by dismissing Virat Kohli for a golden duck and then Shahbaz Ahmed also fell for 2 runs. But then Faf du Plessis, who was playing as an impact player due to injury, hammered 62 in 39 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes.
He added 127 runs for the second wicket with Glenn Maxwell who demolished RR bowling with 77 in 44 balls with 6 fours and 4 sixes as RCB put on 189/9 in 20 overs.
Then RCB bowler Mohammed Siraj gave RR a taste of their own medicine by dismissing Jos Buttler for a duck. And then despite 47 from Yashasvi Jaiswal and 52 from Devdutt Padikkal, RR only managed 182/6 and lost the match by 7 runs.
Speaking to Star Sports, Pathan said Siraj has bowled excellently well and his responsibility has increased for RCB this season.
“Mohammed Siraj has bowled excellently in the powerplay this season for RCB. He’s really making a difference for them. There is a big and positive difference in his bowling compared to last year. That is why his responsibility has increased being the premier seamer in the team,” said Pathan.
Siraj has claimed 13 wickets in IPL 2023 and is leading the race for the Purple Cap.
My Role Is Going Well, Wickets With The New Ball: Mohammed Siraj After RCB’s Win Over RR
Siraj is now at par with Punjab Kings’ pacer Arshdeep Singh in the race for the Purple Cap and has led the RCB bowling attack well. Speaking after RCB’s win over RR, Siraj said his role within the side is going well.
“I accept any challenge. My role is going well, wickets with the new ball and the ball is 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,” said Siraj.
RCB will now focus on the Kolkata Knight Riders, whom they will play next at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on April 26.