IND vs SL: "The Biggest Positive Has Been Mohammed Siraj" - Mohammad Kaif Lauds Indian Pacer's Performance vs Sri Lanka

Updated - 16 Jan 2023, 05:14 PM

Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj (PC-Getty Images)

The ascent of Mohammed Siraj, according to former Indian player Mohammad Kaif, has been India’s biggest benefit from their 3-0 victory over Sri Lanka in the ODI series. In the whole series, the speedster took nine wickets, including an incredible 4/32 in the last ODI at Thiruvananthapuram.

Historically, the Men in Blue have had trouble getting wickets during the powerplay, especially without Jasprit Bumrah. Siraj, though, was absolutely outstanding with consistent hits in the opening 10 overs to instantly put the opponents on the back foot.

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Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj (Image Credits: Twitter)

Mohammad Kaif In Awe Of Mohammed Siraj

Below is what Mohammad Kaif had to say about Mohammed Siraj’s effort against Sri Lanka in his interview with Star Sports.

“The biggest positive has been Mohammed Siraj. Wanting to win the World Cup in India in flat conditions, I think Mohammed Siraj has done so well.

“If you see the last couple of matches, he’s been bowling really well, getting the breakthrough with the new ball. He has got wickets even when he comes in to bowl towards the end.”

Mohammed Siraj (PC-Getty Images)
Mohammed Siraj (PC-Getty Images)

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Mohammad Kaif Discuss India’s Death Bowling Struggles

In recent bilateral series, the Men in Blue have excelled throughout both the powerplay and the middle innings. Before the ODI World Cup later this year, according to Mohammad Kaif, they need to improve their death bowling.

The veteran cricketer explained how Dasun Shanaka, although playing in a losing cause, hammered the bowlers all over the field in the opening ODI on his way to a century. Kaif declared:

“They have Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav who can take wickets in the middle overs. They have Umran Malik who can get wickets in the middle overs. But in the first ODI we saw that in the last 13 overs, there was no wicket taken by the Indian bowlers.

India National Cricket Team
India National Cricket Team. Pic Credits: Twitter.

“Shanaka scored 100 in that game, although Sri Lanka had lost the game but I think we need to improve on our death bowling. That’s where we are missing Bumrah very much because he is a genuine match-winner, a wicket-taker.”

The Men in Blue will be hoping that Bumrah will be able to resume his duties as soon as possible. For their forthcoming series against New Zealand, their other bowlers will be required to focus on controlling the run flow in the finishing overs till then.

Also Read: IND vs SL: “Runs Aren’t Coming But He Is Looking Good” – Sanjay Manjrekar On Rohit Sharma’s Hundred Drought

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IND vs SL 2023 India National Cricket Team India vs Sri Lanka 2023 Mohammad Kaif Mohammed Siraj