Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag praised Mohammed Siraj for his impressive bowling performance, stating that he could have claimed another wicket if he had bowled four overs in a row. Sehwag highlighted Siraj’s determination after being released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and missing out on India’s Champions Trophy squad.
Siraj showcased pace, accuracy, and intent in his spell against Bengaluru, catching Sehwag’s attention. Speaking on Cricbuzz, Sehwag emphasized the fast bowler’s ability to make an impact with the new ball, noting that his performance was driven by both his RCB exit and his omission from the Champions Trophy squad.
Sehwag lauds Mohammed Siraj’s Hunger
“He maintained his record with the new ball in Chinnaswamy. He gave away only 12 or 13 runs in the first three overs. He could’ve probably bowled the fourth over at the same time, too; he might have taken another wicket,” Sehwag said.
“He has that fire. And somewhere, I feel he is hurt that he wasn’t part of the Champions Trophy squad, and I saw that fire. That’s what we expect from a young fast bowler,” he added. Siraj, who was not retained by RCB ahead of IPL 2025, made a strong statement in his first match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium after joining Gujarat Titans.
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After conceding a boundary to Virat Kohli in his first over, Siraj responded with a stellar spell. He dismissed Devdutt Padikkal for four and bowled Phil Salt with a brilliant delivery that shattered the off stump.
Reflecting on his recent break from international cricket, Siraj shared that it helped him analyze his mistakes and work on his bowling and fitness. “I was playing matches consistently, so was not realising the mistakes I was making. In the break, I focused on my bowling, on my fitness,” Siraj said at the post-match presentation.
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