Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Parthiv Patel has showered praise on Mohammed Siraj for his brilliant spell in India’s 29-run win against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Saturday. Siraj, who was making a comeback into T20Is after 19 months, returned with impressive figures of 3-29 in his quota of four overs.
The fast bowler was right on the money from the get-go as he hit the good areas. The Hyderabad pacer, who replaced injured Harshit Rana, accounted for Andries Gous, Saiteja Mukkamalla, and Shubham Ranjane.
Parthiv Patel said on Star Sports, “He has that kind of a temperament and he wants that limelight. Obviously, there was a point to prove as well. He was part of the squad last time when India won the World Cup. Here, Harshit Rana was playing ahead of him, and he is someone we know will always keep trying,” he responded.
Patel praised the fast bowler for adjusting the line and length for the white-ball format.
“He will always make sure that he gives more than 100 percent. Yesterday was nothing different from the Mohammed Siraj we have seen. It is not easy to change your lengths from red ball to white ball. Because he had so many overs behind him, he could adjust that quickly, and he has that experience also,” Parthiv observed.
On the other hand, former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh rated Mohammed Siraj as a match-winner after the USA clash.
“Any player can get injured anytime. It is praiseworthy that Siraj is remembered when Jasprit Bumrah, this team’s main bowler, gets injured (isn’t available due to illness). He might have come in Harshit Rana’s place, but as soon as he came, he left the impression we know about Siraj, a proper match-winner,” he said.
The Turbanator said Siraj provided the crucial breakthroughs at the top of the order.
“He gave the wickets that were necessarily required with the new ball. In the end, we saw him attempting yorkers. That was also absolutely precise. I would like to say that whichever cricketer is not playing for India should play active cricket in whichever trophy might be happening. You never know when your chance comes,” Harbhajan stated.
India will next take on Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on February 12.
