The Indian cricket team started off strong in their 2023 ODI World Cup preparations by sweeping New Zealand in the three-match series. The top batsmen included Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, while Kuldeep Yadav wowed many as a spinner. Mohammed Siraj may have excelled above the others in the area of pace bowling. Sanjay Manjrekar, a former cricketer for India, was shocked to notice that Siraj received very little attention during the post-match presentation following the conclusion of the third ODI.
Siraj received special accolades from Manjrekar in a Star Sports interview, who praised him for continuously doing well for India. “In the post-match, he was hardly mentioned. Hardly talked about. But yes, when I have to look at 1 player who is promising a lot. One player whose growth has been phenomenal. I’ve used this term many times. He at the moment looks like a complete seam bowler. And that says a lot about any performer and not just this format. In T20Is and Test matches as well,” Manjrekar said after the conclusion of the presentation ceremony.
Siraj completed the series with five wickets at an impressive average of 11.20. Siraj played for the squad in just two of the three ODIs, although Kuldeep Yadav and Shardul Thakur both took six wickets more than he did. “Shubman Gill got a double hundred and a hundred. But when you look at the quality and against the toughest opposition in the world – big pressure match. Mohammed Siraj is somebody that India has found, who will be there when India needs him,” Manjrekar added. Siraj completed the series with five wickets at an impressive average of 11.20. Siraj played for the squad in just two of the three ODIs, although Kuldeep Yadav and Shardul Thakur both took six wickets more than he did.
