Royal Challengers Bangalore are all but out of IPL 2018 following their five-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday.
RCB restricted table-toppers Surisers to 146 but fell five runs short. Virat Kohli‘s team have now lost seven out of 10 matches and only have a mathematical chance of making it to the playoffs.
However, the performance of Bangalore fast bowler Mohammed Siraj should give the management some hope.
The 24-year-old came up with his best performance of the tournament to finish with fine figures of 3-25 in Hyderabad. Here is an in-depth analysis of his effort.
STATISTICS
OVERS: 4
RUNS CONCEDED: 25
WICKETS: 3
ECONOMY: 6.25
30-SECOND REPORT
A near flawless effort from Siraj. The wicket in Hyderabad was sluggish and Siraj, along with Tim Southee, made full use of it. The 24-year-old either bowled fast and straight or used slower ones to keep the batsmen guessing. It was a shame Bangalore ended up on the losing side as he was the most successful bowler on a day dominated by the ball.
GOT RIGHT
Used an effort ball to get Shikhar Dhawan out on the pull shot. Then at the death targeted the pads. Uprooted the stumps of Yusuf Pathan and Wriddhiman Saha, with the latter one clocked at over 90mph. For a bowler whose economy rate in the three T20 matches he has played for India is over 12, it was an outstanding effort.
Keeping every performer aside, I'll focus on Mohammad Siraj. What a death bowling, rather PROPER DEATH BOWLING. Pace, line & length, everything was on point. Well done young lad. Way to go.#SRHvRCB
— Jaanvi 🏏 (@ThatCricketBuff) May 7, 2018
GOT WRONG
As said before, a near flawless effort. Not only did Siraj pick up wickets, he kept the scoring down. Half of the deliveries he bowled were dot balls.
Siraj bowled just one wide ball, which deserves credit as even a spinner like Yuzvendra Chahal ended up bowling a no-ball on Monday.
VERDICT: 8.5/10
Virat Kohli is a captain who likes his bowlers to take the lead and not become a defensive option, even in T20s. Looks like that positivity is beginning to rub off on Siraj. The team might be down in the dumps but Monday’s match was perfect for the development of Siraj the cricketer.
Competition is intense for the pace bowling slots in the Indian team, Tests and limited overs alike. A few more performances like these from Siraj would do his chances of making more regular appearances in an India jersey no harm.
