Mohammed Siraj played a key role in India’s victory in the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Sunday. The fast bowler started with the maiden over, sharing the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah. In the subsequent over he took four wickets.
Mohammad Siraj did not stop here, he took a total of six wickets. Siraj started his second over by dismissing Pathum Nissanka on the very first ball, who was caught by Ravindra Jadeja at the catch point.
After this, Siraj bowled a dot ball before getting Sadira Samarawickrama out LBW on the third ball. And Charith Asalanka was dismissed on the very next ball. Siraj’s havoc continued and he dismissed Dhananjay de Silva on the last ball of the over.
With this wicket, he became the first Indian bowler to take four wickets in an over. After this, Siraj added another wicket to his account in the next over, which was his fifth wicket. He dismissed Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka to complete his five wicket haul.
She equaled Chaminda Vaas’s two-decade long world record of taking the fewest number of balls (2.4 overs) to complete a five-wicket haul in ODIs. Both Siraj and Vaas now have the record of completing the fifer in 16 balls. Vaas had achieved this feat against Bangladesh in the 2003 World Cup.
Siraj now has the most wickets in the first 10 overs for India in an ODI since 2002. Meanwhile, Siraj also completed his 50th ODI wicket. He took 1002 balls to reach this milestone, making him the second fastest bowler in the history of ODI.
Former Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis leads the list, who took only 847 balls to reach this milestone. Siraj’s efforts helped India wrap up the Lankan innings at 50 runs. He took six wickets and gave 21 runs in seven overs.
Bumrah took one wicket, while Hardik Pandya took three wickets. Overall, India won this match easily. India scored 51 runs in the seventh over and won the match by 10 wickets. Siraj said after the match that one gets as much as one is destined to do, today was my destiny.
Siraj said, ‘Last time, I did the same against Sri Lanka in Trivandrum. Took four wickets early, but could not take five wickets. I didn’t try too hard today. I have always looked for swing in white-ball cricket and in the previous games I did not get much swing.
Siraj said, ‘Today the ball was swinging, and I got more wickets from the outswinger. I was getting so much swing on this wicket that I tried to get the batsman to go on the front foot and encourage them to drive. If you are not going for wickets, you will be successful on this pitch. It was about sticking to one line and hitting the same area. I am very happy with my performance and it is a dream come true for me.
