Mohammad Siraj has risen up the ranks in the Indian cricket set-up in recent years. He was an unknown force before the 2016–17 Ranji season, where he finished as the third leading wicket-taker in the tournament.
A late bloomer by Indian standards, Siraj was the most talked-about uncapped player before the 2017 IPL auction, taking 41 wickets in just nine matches in the Ranji Trophy. He was registered in the auction for a nominal base price of Rs 20 lakh but was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 2.6 crore. He played just six matches in IPL 2017 and took ten wickets.
He later moved to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), where he made a name for himself with his natural swing and earned his call-up in India.
On Sunday, as the Hyderabadi bowler celebrates his 28th birthday, we take a look at his top performances for India.
5/73 vs Australia, Brisbane Test (2021)
Siraj recorded his best innings figures in Test cricket in 2021 during India’s historic tour of Australia. The right-arm bowler was tasked with leading India’s bowling attack during the Brisbane Test, when the touring team injured its key bowlers.
It was only the third Test match of Siraj’s career, but he impressed everyone with his natural swing to pick up the first five-wicket haul of his career. He took just one wicket during the first innings as Australia scored 369 runs. In the second innings, he finished with figures of 5/73 in 19.5 overs as India won the match by three wickets.
4/94 and 4/32 vs England, Lord’s Test (2021)
Siraj recorded his best bowling figures in a Test match in 2021 against England at the prestigious Lord’s Stadium. He ended the match with 8 for 126 as India beat England by 151 runs.
He took four wickets giving away 94 runs as the visiting team bowled out the hosts for 391 in reply to India’s 364.
Chasing 272 for victory during their second innings, India bundled out England for 120 runs courtesy of Siraj’s 4/32.
3/41 vs West Indies, Ahmedabad ODI (2022)
Siraj returned with his best ODI bowling during India’s tour of the West Indies earlier this year. He took three for 41 as India posted a 96-run victory by bowling the team out for 169 in reply to 265 in Ahmedabad.
Siraj’s first victim was Windies opener Shai Hope. Thereafter, he dismissed lower-order batsmen Odeon Smith and Hayden Walsh to complete his three wickets.
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