'He Has That Fire': Virender Sehwag Lauds Mohammed Siraj For Scripting Grand Comeback
Mohammed Siraj's performance against RCB saw everything: pace, accuracy and intent, something that didn't go unnoticed by Virender Sehwag.
Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag has praised Mohammed Siraj, saying that the latter could have picked another wicket if he bowled four overs on a trot, lauding the ‘fire’ inside him after being released from Royal Challengers Bengaluru as well as missing out on the Champions Trophy squad.
Siraj‘s performance against Bengaluru saw everything: pace, accuracy and intent, something that didn’t go unnoticed by Sehwag, who praised the former’s hunger and fire.
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Sehwag, speaking on Cricbuzz, pointed out Siraj’s capability to make an impact with the new ball and said that the latter was playing with an added edge, not just due to the prospect of facing Bengaluru, but fuelled by his omission from India’s Champions Trophy team as well.
“He maintained his record with the new ball in Chinnaswamy. He gave away only 12 or 13 runs in the first three overs. He could’ve probably bowled the fourth over at the same time, too; he might have taken another wicket," Sehwag said.
“He has that fire. And somewhere, I feel he is hurt that he wasn’t part of the Champions Trophy squad, and I saw that fire. That’s what we expect from a young fast bowler," Sehwag added.
Siraj wasn’t retained by RCB ahead of IPL 2025 and in his first game back at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, he ensured that they felt his absence.
After conceding a four to Virat Kohli in his first over, Siraj bounced back in style, removing Devdutt Padikkal for only four before dismissing Phil Salt with a brilliant ball that shattered the off stump.
Siraj later said that his break from international cricket gave him the time to reflect on his mistakes and work on his bowling and fitness.
After a lacklustre Test tour of Australia earlier this year, Siraj was left out of India’s Champions Trophy team.
“I was playing matches consistently, so was not realising the mistakes I was making. In the break, I focused on my bowling, on my fitness," Siraj said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
After linking up with the Gujarat team, Siraj sought advice from former India pacer and coach Ashish Nehra as well.
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