IND vs NZ: Mohammed Siraj Named As New No.1 ODI Bowler In ICC Rankings; Moves Past Trent Boult

Trent Boult of New Zealand lost his top place in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings for bowlers to India’s Mohammed Siraj, capping an outstanding calendar year.

It’s an impressive ascent for Siraj, who just joined India’s ODI team in February of last year after a three-year absence during which he failed to participate in a 50-over international match.

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Mohammed Siraj Surpasses Trent Boult And Josh Hazlewood

Since then, Siraj has played in 20 games and taken 37 wickets, making him one of India’s most reliable fast bowlers. As a result, the 28-year-old underdog has begun to accrue awards.

After being selected for the ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year on Tuesday, Siraj had further cause to rejoice on Wednesday as he surpassed Boult and Australia seamer Josh Hazlewood to take over as the top-ranked ODI bowler for the first time.

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Siraj’s performance in the ODI series at home earlier this month versus Sri Lanka and New Zealand demonstrated just how much the right-armer has advanced in recent years in addition to his domineering form over the previous 12 months.

In the middle of last year, India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey encouraged Siraj to improve some parts of his game. Judging by recent performances, the additional effort the vivacious fast has put in has paid off in heaps.

The More Mohammed Siraj Play, The Better He Gets: Rohit Sharma

Siraj led the team in wickets taken during the three-game series against Sri Lanka with nine, and he followed it up with a four-wicket haul in the first game of the just-concluded series versus New Zealand.

With just two rating points separating him from Hazlewood at the top of the list, Siraj ascends to the top spot among ODI bowlers with 729 rating points.

Following the series rout of New Zealand, India’s captain Rohit Sharma was questioned about the young fast and was all praise for Siraj.

“He has done really well, he understands what the team is expecting from him,” Rohit said.

“To come and take the new ball, swing the ball, get early wickets. In the middle overs too, he’s got so much skill. The more he plays, the better he gets.”

Following the conclusion of India’s home series against the Kiwis, Mohammed Shami, a fellow Indian pacer, moves up 11 spots to 32nd overall on the new list of ODI bowlers.

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