Watch: Mohammed Siraj forced to clap for Shreyas Iyer after getting smashed for incredible six in IPL 2024

It was all appreciation and love during what was supposed to be a very heated contest between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders last night. The M. Chinnaswamy stadium was awaiting to see a new chapter added in the rivalry between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir but all they got to see was both of them hugging each other. Another incident that happened last night was when Mohammed Siraj clapped for the KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer after the latter hit a six off his ball in the 2nd innings.

Mohammed Siraj had bowled an on-slot delivery to Shreyas Iyer, who did not spare the full-length half-volley and sent it to the stands. It was a tremendous pickup shot from the KKR skipper who also had a follow-through, similar to that of MS Dhoni’s famous helicopter shot.

While the entire crowd at the Chinnaswamy went absolutely silent, Mohammed Siraj was seen clapping at the shot of Shreyas Iyer, someone who has played a lot of cricket with Siraj for team India. But now it remains to be seen if Iyer and Siraj will play together or not during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies as the right-hander was declined a central contract by BCCI last month.

Watch Shreyas Iyer’s pickup shot that intrigued Mohammed Siraj to clap

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Shreyas Iyer had arrived at the crease at a time when the game was already in the reach of Kolkata Knight Riders, thanks to the blistering start from Phillip Salt and Sunil Narine. The openers had stood for a first-wicket partnership of 86 runs before Narine, who was playing his 500th T20 match, departed for a 22-ball 47 at a daunting strike rate of over 200. Then after Salt’s dismissal in the next over for 30 off 20, two Iyers – Shreyas and Venkatesh, caused further damage to RCB bowlers.

Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer carried on the start given by the openers and they were making full use of the batting-friendly surface as well as the hitting opportunities provided by the RCB bowlers. All of the RCB bowlers that bowled all more than 2 overs except Vyshak Vijay Kumar, had an economy rate of more than 10.

Siraj himself had a 15.33 economy rate from his 3 overs, Yash Dayal too, had a similar outing as he leaked 11 an over from his 4 and was equal with Siraj in giving 46 runs away. Alzarri Joseph was thrashed 34 runs in his 2 overs, Cameron Green gave 7 runs from the 1 over he bowled and Vyshak Vijay Kumar was the cheapest bowler of the night as he conceded just 23 runs from 4 overs.

What next for Shreyas Iyer?

Shreyas Iyer looked to be in good form last night with his 24-ball 39 at a strike rate of 160, including 4 sixes and 3 fours. He was there in the crease until the winning runs were scored and his new season as KKR captain has got off to a great start with 2 wins from 2 matches.

If he is to return to the Indian national team, from which he was dropped 2 months ago, the Iyer will need to ensure he experiences a run-filled season. If he does so, that might put him in contention to be there for India when the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 begins on June 1.