Mohammed Siraj bowls through the third ODI between India and Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram on January 15, 2023
| Photo Credit: Ok. Murali Kumar
Senior gamers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma feel pacer Mohammed Siraj’s excellent run of form in 50-over cricket augers nicely for the Indian workforce heading into the ODI World Cup later this yr.
In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been on the sidelines as a consequence of a decrease again stress fracture, Siraj has emerged as India’s most profitable bowler in ODIs up to now yr.
“(Mohammed) Shami has always been there for us but the way Siraj has come in and done with the new ball has been has been outstanding,” Kohli mentioned on the post-match presentation after India’s 317-run win over Sri Lanka within the the third and remaining ODI right here.
“He has taken the maximum number of wickets in the powerplay, which was an issue for us early. He is always making the batters think, which is a great sign for us going into the World Cup.”
Siraj, who rocked the Sri Lankan top-order, missed out on a fifer and returned with spectacular figures of 4/32.
“Good to see how he (Siraj) was bowling and he deserved all those slips. He is a rare talent, the way he has come up over the last few years is good to see,” skipper Rohit mentioned.
“He has come from strength to strength and that’s really good for Indian cricket.
“We tried all form of issues (to get his fifer) however it did not occur sadly. But the 4 wickets are all his and fifers will come. He has a few methods up his sleeves which he’s engaged on and it is there to see.”
India completed a 3-0 clean sweep of Sri Lanka in the ODI series.
“It was a great collection for us. Lots of positives. We bowled nicely, obtained wickets once we wanted and the batters all through the collection piling on the runs was good to look at.”
India are scheduled to play three ODIs and as many T20Is with New Zealand, starting Wednesday.
“We’ll get to the drafting board shortly (for the subsequent collection) and see how the pitch is, then resolve how the mixtures will likely be. They (NZ) are coming off a collection win in Pakistan, so it will not be a straightforward job in any respect,” Rohit added.
Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka was disappointed by his side’s performance.
“It’s disappointing. Not a sport we wished. It occurs. We have to learn to handle the beginning. Bowlers ought to learn to take wickets on these decks and the batters ought to be taught to attain. Playing constructive cricket is the extra vital factor. If the boys present intent, the bowling would have been totally different. Congratulations to Indian workforce for this efficiency.”
I don’t have desperation to get to a milestone: Kohli
With his 46th ODI hundred on Sunday, the talismanic batter inched closer to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 centuries in the 50-over format.
“Ever since I got here again from the break, I’m feeling good and I haven’t got desperation to get to a milestone. I wish to proceed doing that,” he said after his unbeaten 166.
Kohli, who endured an extended rough patch until the Asia Cup last year, smashed his third century in four innings.
“I used to be completely happy to be batting on the market and in that area I find yourself enjoying good cricket. I’m in a good area proper now, simply be natural,” he added. “It is the by-product of the intent I’ve,” Kohli mentioned of the Player of the Series trophy.