RR vs RCB: Mohammed Siraj Lost A Bit Of Confidence But He Will Come Back Stronger, Says RCB’s Mike Hesson

Royal Challengers Bangalore Director of Cricket Mike Hesson on Saturday, May 28 upheld Mohammed Siraj to return more strongly after the India pacer finished a forgettable IPL 2022 season with an undesirable record.

Hesson, addressing the press after RCB were taken out in Qualifier 2 by Rajasthan Royals on Friday, said Siraj lost touch of certainty because of his powerlessness to get early wickets, however, focused on that the pacer is psychologically sound and will put behind the bad season.

Mohammad Siraj Is A Fine Bowler: Mike Hesson

Mohammed Siraj, who was dropped for RCB’s last league game, got the support from the team management to take care of business in the playoff games. Be that as it may, he couldn’t reimburse the confidence the group displayed in him, picking only 1 wicket in the two playoff matches and yielding 75 runs in 6 overs across the matches.

On Friday, Mohammed Siraj was smashed in the powerplay as he surrendered 34 runs in 2 overs as Rajasthan effectively pursued down a 158-run target and fixed their spot in the IPL 2022 final. Siraj was not given the third over as he turned into the only bowler throughout the entire existence of the IPL to yield 30 sixes in a season.

“Mohammed Siraj is a fine bowler, he didn’t have his best tournament but we know he will come back strong,” Hesson said.

“Just didn’t get us those new-ball wickets, didn’t get the ball swinging and probably lost a bit of confidence. But as I said, he will come back stronger.”

Mohammed Siraj completed the IPL 2022 season with 9 wickets in 15 matches at an economy rate of 10.08, which is an unmistakable difference from the 6.78 economy rate from 2021 that prompted RCB to hold him.

Pretty Pleased With The Way The Team Gelled This Season: Mike Hesson

Moreover, Hesson said he is content with the exhibitions of Glenn Maxwell and Virat Kohli and communicated fulfilment with their IPL 2022 mission.

RCB have arrived at the playoff games for 3 seasons on the trot and they broke the Eliminator curse this season.

“Glenn Maxwell had a good all-round season with both bat and ball. Very good strike rate and averaged almost 30. Went for 7 an over with the ball. Sure, you almost want more, but I think he had a pretty good season with both bat and ball.

“Obviously, we started with Virat at No. 3 but we moved him to the top. And he certainly got better and better as the season went on. Looked in good touch in the last 4-5 innings.

“All in all, pretty pleased with the way the team gelled this season,” Hesson added.

Rajasthan Royals, who arrived at their first final after the debut edition in 2008, will take on Gujarat Titans in the grand finale on Sunday in Ahmedabad.

Also Read: IPL 2022: Gujarat Titans Not Reliant On Individuals, That’s What Sets Them Apart: Rahul Tewatia