People weren’t sure if picking Mohammed Siraj in India’s 15-man T20 World Cup 2024 squad was right, and frankly, the right-arm pacer hadn’t done much to prove them wrong. After playing 7 matches in IPL 2024 matches, he had just 5 wickets to his name and was even dropped by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru amid his poor form.
Siraj back to form
However, the last three matches have given Indian cricket team fans some hope. He gave just 20 runs against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in his four overs, where 377 runs were scored in 40 overs. Against the Gujarat Titans, he claimed two wickets for 34 runs going at 8.5 overs an over in a game where 406 runs were scored in 36 overs (11.27 runs per over).
Today (April 4), he showed once again why he needs to be on that flight across the Atlantic. Prior to the match, he had taken just 2 wickets in the powerplay from 17 overs, going at over 10 runs an over. In the RCB vs GT match, he decided to flip the script. He sent the Gujarat Titans’ openers, Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill, in the two overs he bowled and gave away just 9 runs.
Siraj’s IPL 2024 powerplay stats
Previous 9 matches: 2/171(17), ER: 10.05, AVG
RCB v GT match: 2/9(2), ER: 4.5
T20 World Cup 2024
Siraj’s death bowling a concern?
Now, the only apparent issue Mohammed Siraj has is his death bowling record. In the IPL 2024 season so far, he’s bowled 12 overs and picked up one wicket. His economy is great, but his strike rate and average are through the roof. Even in the RCB vs GT match, he gave away 20 runs in the two overs he bowled and failed to pick up a wicket.
If he manages to chip away in the powerplay and keep the lid on the scoring rate in the death, it’ll be worth it to have him. One has to also remember that Jasprit Bumrah will be his death-bowling partner. Considering that he rarely gives away more than 7-8 runs an over, and if Siraj will give 8-9 runs himself, it’ll be a big plus for India in the T20 World Cup 2204.
| Innings | Overs | Wickets | Econ | Avg | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 12 | 1 | 8.75 | 105 | 72 |
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