Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Director of Cricket Mike Hesson lauded the development of Mohammad Siraj as a bowler and said that the pacer has been unlucky with his place in the national limited-overs squad.
Hesson, who has worked with Siraj since his early days at RCB, said the right-arm pacer has always been a great team man.
Recalling the 2020 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), when Siraj was yet to make his mark in the tournament, Hesson revealed that despite not being a regular feature in the RCB playing XI, the youngster always focused on the game. Did and brought one. Lots of energy for camping.
“I always assess a player when they have to struggle a bit, and the energy they bring to the group. And Siraj, when he first came here in 2020, was not a guaranteed starter. In fact, he didn’t start. But on every practice, every open wicket, every game he wasn’t playing, the energy he brought to the group, he was always so focused,” Hesson said. Hindustan Times,
The RCB coach said that when Siraj finally got a chance to play for the team, everyone else in the camp was eager to see him do well.
Siraj took 11 wickets in 9 matches in the 2020 season of IPL at an average of 21.45 and an economy rate of 8.68 runs per over. It also included Hall’s dream of 3 wickets conceding just 8 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
While Siraj has made his mark as a Test bowler for India with his performances in the 2020-21 tour of Australia, he is yet to cement his place in T20Is and ODIs. However, Hesson feels it is just part of the process and the pacer will soon cement his place in the team.
Stating that Siraj has been ‘unfortunate’ to play in an era where there is so much depth in the Indian pace attack, the RCB coach said that many experienced Indian players were potentially reaching the end of their careers. Hence, the selectors were giving him more chances to eliminate Siraj before he took over.
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