The recently concluded 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) has garnered praise from Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood, who commended his Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) teammate Mohammed Siraj for his remarkable performances in the cash-rich tournament. As the focus now shifts to the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final at The Oval in London, starting from June 7, Siraj will be in action against Australia, aiming to make a significant impact.
Having suffered defeat at the hands of the Black Caps in the first WTC final in 2021, India is determined to clinch the Test mace in their second consecutive summit clash, while Australia is set to feature in their first-ever final. Ahead of this crucial clash, Siraj’s contributions to RCB in the 16th edition of the IPL have not gone unnoticed.
Siraj played a pivotal role for RCB throughout the tournament, showcasing notable improvements in his bowling. One area where he particularly excelled was his accuracy during the powerplay overs, displaying exceptional control over his line and length in the death overs. Hazlewood, who missed the first half of the IPL due to an injury, acknowledged Siraj’s leadership in RCB’s bowling attack during those matches.
Expressing his admiration for Siraj, Hazlewood praised the Indian bowler’s brilliant form and excellent control. In a statement quoted by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the 32-year-old Australian said, “I was a bit late getting there (to RCB this year), but before then he was on fire. His control was great and he is bowling well.” Hazlewood further emphasized Siraj’s consistency in terms of key statistical measures for bowlers, stating, “He is up there at the top of the wickets every time, and the economy rate was probably the thing as bowling at Chinnaswamy (RCB’s home ground) is impossible sometimes, and he was going at six or six-and-a-half an over.”
As the IPL 2023 concluded, Siraj emerged as RCB’s highest wicket-taker in the tournament. The 29-year-old claimed an impressive tally of 19 wickets from 14 matches at an economy rate of 7.50. In Test Cricket, Siraj has already proven his worth, having taken 47 wickets from 33 innings at an economy rate of 3.29. With his consistent performances, Siraj is expected to play a vital role as a key component of the Indian side in the upcoming WTC final against Australia.
As the WTC final approaches, the accolades showered upon Mohammed Siraj by his teammate Josh Hazlewood serve as a testament to the Indian bowler’s exceptional skills and form. All eyes will be on Siraj as he aims to make a significant impact in the highly anticipated clash against Australia, further solidifying his reputation as a talented and influential bowler in international cricket.
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