Mohammed Siraj, the Indian right-arm pacer, became the Number 1 ODI bowler on January 25, Wednesday and this comes on the back of his continued form in the 50-over format. Making his ODI debut in 2019, Siraj has grown in stature to reach the Number 1 spot despite being thrashed early on all over social media for his poor outings.
With Jasprit Bumrah recovering, Siraj has become India’s trusted pacer and the right-armer is giving it his all in every single opportunity that he is being fetched with. Picking up 24 wickets in 2022 at an economy of 4.62, Siraj proved his might in the format last year and is off to a great start in 2023 as well. Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian specialist batter, congratulated Siraj with a cheeky post on Instagram, captioning it, ‘‘Lelo ab Landaaaaaa. Kya baat hai Magic’.
For the unversed, Siraj was the leading wicket-taker in the recently concluded ODI series against Sri Lanka, with 9 wickets to his name at an economy of 4.05. With two four-wicket hauls to his name in 2023, Siraj looks unstoppable in 2023 and with the 50-over World Cup scheduled to take place later at home this year, his form would be vital for the Indian team.
Here is Suryakumar Yadav’s post for Mohammed Siraj:
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) January 25, 2023
Can Mohammed Siraj continue with his stint across all formats?
Baffled by Siraj’s rise across all formats, the former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar said that the bowler has been the best find for India apart from star Indian opener Shubman Gill. Manjrekar claimed that the rise has been phenomenal and hoped that the pacer would continue with his form in all formats.
“Shubman Gill may have got a double hundred and a hundred. But when you look at the quality and against the toughest opposition in the world, in a big pressure match, Mohammed Siraj is somebody that India have found. He will be there when the team needs him. He was hardly mentioned in the post-match show. Hardik was talked about. When I have to look at one player who is promising a lot and whose growth has been phenomenal,” Manjrekar was quoted as saying to Star Sports.
Here’s how fans have reacted to Suryakumar Yadav’s Instagram story for Mohammed Siraj:
Kon hai ye loog.
— Shahsawar Shah (@ShahsawarShah4) January 25, 2023
Panga likhna chah raha tha kya
— Manish (@endorphin_26) January 25, 2023
— Maddy (@EvilRashford) January 25, 2023
— Law. 🎭 (@Aryanvdx) January 25, 2023
— Unstoppable🇮🇳 (@emotionhitman45) January 25, 2023
Le Siraj to SKY : pic.twitter.com/vr4p7YFhFl
— Saifur Rahman (Blue Tick) (@pricelesslazy) January 25, 2023
If this is in Marathi then it is more 🔥
— Parth Pandit (@imparthpandit) January 25, 2023