MOHAMMED SIRAJ: THE NEW WHITE-BALL SPECIALIST

From being an extra bowler, he has come out as the ace in a period where Bumrah, India's premium pacer still, has spent more time in the doctor's clinic and rehabilitation, while Shami has battled inconsistency and could not make an impactful performance last year...

- VEDANT CHAPHEKAR

Mohammed Siraj has made a statement with his bowling that he is undoubtedly the go-to bowler for the Indian cricket team. He has starred with the ball for India as they bowled out Sri Lanka for 73 runs, clinched the biggest-ever win in ODI history by 317 runs, and concluded the series with a clean sweep by 3-0. Siraj finished the series as the highest wicket-taker taking 9 wickets in 3 games at an average of 10.22. By taking four wickets, Siraj is now tied with Javagal Srinath (vs Sri Lanka, Johannesburg, 2003), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (vs Sri Lanka, Port of Spain, 2013), and Jasprit Bumrah (vs England, The Oval, 2022) for the record of taking the most number of wickets in the first 10 overs by an Indian bowler. In 2022, Siraj showed a whole lot of intent while bowling. It was a season of revival, one in which he gradually stopped living in the shadows of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami but cast his own shadow over the game. From being an extra bowler, he has come out as the ace in a period where Bumrah, India's premium pacer still, has spent more time in the doctor's clinic and rehabilitation, while Shami has battled inconsistency and could not make an impactful performance last year.

THE STRUGGLE BEFORE THE RETURN