Indian keeper batter Dinesh Karthik has narrated how Virat Kohli backed fast bowler Mohammed Siraj when he was about to get dropped. He said that the batter also wanted him in the playing XI in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore always.
Mohammad Siraj – the No.1 ranked ODI bowler
From being termed as the ‘worst bowler’ to one of the ‘best pacers’, Mohammed Siraj has been one of the main reasons behind India’s success in the ODIs of late. The right-arm pacer has looked threatening every time he came to the ball and has troubled the opposition batters with his impeccable line and lengths.
Not only in the powerplay, but Siraj also has been sensational with the ball even in the death and is bowling economical spells in all games he has played so far in the year 2022. The Hyderabad pacer was the leading wicket-taker for India in ODIs 2022 with 24 scalps to his name from just 16 games.
Siraj made sure that he carry his form along and start the year 2023 on high as he bowled staggering well in the series against Sri Lanka. He ended the three ODI series as the highest wicket-taker with his best coming in the last game, where he bagged 4 wickets. The pacer took 9 wickets in the series and made India win the series.
The bond between Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj extends beyond the cricketing yards. ❤️
Here's your Tuesday evening dosage of wholesome happiness. 🙌#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/1s68OTs7pD
Advertisement— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) July 19, 2022
However, he didn’t stop there as yet again proved his mettle in the ODI series against New Zealand as he picked four wickets in the first game and then took one in the second game. His impressive performance has seen him attaining his career-best rankings of the ICC. Siraj became the No.1 Ranked bowler with a 685 ratings.
It’s fair to say that the credit of Mohammed Siraj’s success goes to Virat Kohli, who during his days as the RCB days backed him despite him not performing well. The batter instilled a lot of confidence in the pacer and it’s because of that he’s one of the finest in the world today.
“Virat told ‘I want him in the X1’ during IPL days,” Dinesh Karthik narrates how Kohli backed Mohammed Siraj when he was about to get dropped
With Virat Kohli backing Mohammed Siraj a lot during his initial days, Dinesh Karthik revealed how he wanted Siraj in the playing XI always. Speaking to Cricbuzz, he said:
“Virat Kohli is like an elder brother for Siraj, he really values Kohli a lot as he has backed him, when he was about to get dropped, Virat told ‘I want him in the X1’ during IPL days”.
Both Siraj and Kohli are currently playing the Test series against India whereas Dinesh Karthik is handling the commentating duties of the same.
Bharat Arun said – "Mohammad Siraj was Virat Kohli's biggest fan". After first season with RCB, he came and told me 'Sir, I want to be like Virat bhaiya'. I think it was the hunger in him, he had seen what Virat has achieved".
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) February 23, 2023
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