Former South African cricket captain AB de Villiers showered praise on Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj for his outstanding bowling display in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2023. De Villiers specifically highlighted a quality he believes is ideal for a fast bowler.
Siraj’s Sensational Spell in Asia Cup Final
During the Asia Cup final in Colombo, Mohammed Siraj delivered a remarkable performance, particularly with the new ball. The 29-year-old played a pivotal role in dismissing Sri Lanka for a mere 50 runs. Siraj’s phenomenal display resulted in a five-wicket haul, achieved in a mere 16 balls. His final bowling figures stood at an astonishing 6/21 in seven overs, earning him the well-deserved ‘Player of the Match’ award.
De Villiers Acknowledges Mohammed Siraj’s Fearless Attitude
De Villiers, a respected figure in Proteas cricket, commended Indian pacer Siraj for his fearless attitude on the field. De Villiers emphasized the importance of attitude, stating that it can uplift a player’s performance significantly. He praised Siraj for his unwavering commitment to challenging batters and his relentless approach to taking wickets.
“What stands out with him is attitude. We have spoken before on how attitude can really uplift you. If you never give up and if you keep trying and you make your attitude catchy with your teammates, the people want you there, the fans want you there. That’s where you start doing some brilliant and special things on the park,” De Villiers said on his YouTube channel.
Siraj’s Willingness to Face Batters Head-On
According to De Villiers, Siraj doesn’t back down from confronting batters and consistently maintains a confrontational stance to dismiss opposition players. The 39-year-old believes that Siraj’s boldness and eagerness to engage with opponents are essential characteristics that distinguish him as a strong fast bowler in international cricket. “He’s always in your face. The bowlers that I respected most are the guys that never gave up, that would always complete every single ball, be in your face. That’s what Mohammed Siraj does well. He’s not scared of trying his short ball. He’s there in the batter’s face and is always trying to get you out. The batters can feel that, and Sri Lanka certainly felt that in the final,” concluded the Pretoria-born cricketer.
Mohammed Siraj Regains Top Spot in ODI Bowling Rankings
Mohammed Siraj has reclaimed the title of the No. 1 ODI bowler in the world after his spectacular performance in the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka. This is Siraj’s second stint at the top of the rankings, having previously held the position between January and March 2023 before being displaced by Josh Hazlewood.
Siraj’s Asia Cup Triumph
Following his remarkable performance in the Asia Cup, Siraj has climbed eight positions to secure the top spot in the ODI bowling rankings. He achieved a total of ten wickets at an astonishing average of 12.20 during the tournament. The highlight of his performance was a spell of 6 for 21 that dismantled Sri Lanka for just 50 runs in the final. This spell, described by Siraj as “like a dream,” included a four-wicket over, a feat achieved only three times in men’s ODI history before.
