One of India’s most dependable fast bowlers over the last couple of years, Mohammed Siraj, has become a huge headache for the management. With the T20 World Cup 2024 less than two months away, Siraj has been dropped from his IPL side, the Royal Challenger Bengaluru, after playing just six matches.
Mohammed Siraj’s horrid run in IPL 2024
As a strike bowler, Siraj is known to go for some runs. But he compensates for that high economy with his superior striking rate. However, this IPL 2024 season has been nothing short of a nightmare for him in both departments. He’s bowled 22 overs, taking just 4 wickets, and is leaking more than 10 runs an over.
To make matters even worse, his record with the powerplay, a time where he thrives the most as a new ball specialist, has been even worse. He’s taking a wicket in every 5.3 overs and is being hit for 57 runs for each wicket he takes.
| Mat | Wkt | Econ (O) | Econ (P) | Avg | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 4 | 10.41 | 12.3 | 57.25 | 33 |
T20 WC
IPL 2024 performance aside, does Siraj warrant a place in India’s T20 World Cup squad?
One could argue that Mohammed Siraj wouldn’t have even made it across the Atlantic, even if he was having a good season. Despite making his debut in 2017, the fast bowler from Hyderabad has played just 10 T20Is in the last 8 years. His strike rate when representing the Indian cricket team isn’t bad (19) by any means, but his average (27.83) and economy (8.78) continue to be on the higher side.
However, it’s his overall IPL record that is shocking. His economy is a tad bit better, but his average and strike rate take a massive hit when he plays for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
| Mat | Wkt | Avg | Econ | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85 | 82 | 31.17 | 8.68 | 21.54 |
One would think that Siraj’s number are skewed due to playing at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, his average (27.32) and strike rate (18.32) both decrease when he plays at his IPL home ground. This goes on to show how mercurial the right-arm pacer is.
His lack of consistency has been across all format but in T20 cricket with the pressure always on and the odds more often than not against him, he falters more often that not.
| Mat | Wkt | Avg | Econ | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 22 | 27.32 | 8.95 | 18.32 |
