Mohammed Siraj has been the driving force behind RCB’s improved powerplay statistics in the IPL 2023. But it has also been a journey back for the India star. The Royal Challengers Bangalore have had a hot and cold season overall. But their powerplay bowling has been a major strength for Faf du Plessis’ team.
RCB staged a comeback in 2023, becoming the fiercest bowling side with the new ball. Following a 2022 season in which they had given up 8 points 46 runs per over and picked up a wicket every 30 balls, both the worst figures in that edition.
Mohammed Siraj, who has also made a journey back, has been the driving force behind RCB’s improved powerplay numbers. The right-arm fast bowler, Siraj was given the new-ball duty. When he was retained for the 2022 season before the mega auction, a notable move that was applauded by many.
Siraj had the worst economy rate of the 14 bowlers who bowled at least 20 overs with the new ball last season (10/23). His strike rate of 37/20 was barely an improvement over Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s (56).
However, Siraj authored a magnificent turnaround in white-ball cricket. Leaving all those long in the past and likely forgotten. He has taken 38 wickets at a rate of just 19 in the 20 ODI games. He has played for India since June 2022.
The 29-year-old eventually achieved a sensational ascent. And took over the No. Bowlers ranked first in the January 2018 edition of the ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings.
“It’s encouraging to see that he put a lot of effort into improving his fitness this time” – RP Singh on Mohammed Siraj
RP Singh, a former fast bowler for India was interviewed by JioCinema. As an IPL expert and stated that Siraj has benefited from working hard to improve his fitness and bowling technique.
“I have been Siraj’s follower for a very long time. His graph was extremely high when he first joined the Indian team, but it gradually began to decline. However, it’s encouraging to see that he put a lot of effort into improving his fitness this time.
He has been working hard on his wrist position and follow through, which has improved his ability to get the ball to bounce higher and allow him to bowl stump-to-stump if you look at the technical aspect”, he said to Hindustan Times.
The 2007 T20 World Cup-winning pacer made an explosive statement. When questioned further about whether an improved Siraj gives Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid the choice to look past an injury-prone Jasprit Bumrah.
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