“I just want to say to the fans that ‘see you soon in Hyderabad’”, this is what Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj had said after the clean sweep against Sri Lanka. And as he promised, Mohammed Siraj entertained his fans thoroughly as he produced a match-defining four-wicket bowling performance in the 1st ODI. His magical spell helped the Indian cricket team defeat New Zealand in a high-score thriller on Wednesday.
It was Siraj’s first game at his home ground in Hyderabad and he produced a magnificent effort in front of his family members and fans. After opting to bat first, captain Rohit Sharma walked out to open the innings with Shubman Gill. Gill played a sensational knock for the Indian cricket team in the first ODI match as he smashed the Kiwi bowlers all over the ground. He played a mighty knock of 208 runs off 145 runs that helped India post a gigantic 349/8 on the board.
Siraj then continued with his good form as he made a stellar start by dismissing Devon Conway in the first powerplay. Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav then dented the middle order to derail the Kiwi’s innings. Siraj returned during the middle order and dismissed Tom Latham to reduce New Zealand to 131/6.
Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner built a strong partnership to put India in a spot of bother in the final phase. However, Siraj once again bowled well in the death overs and picked up the wickets of two players to keep India’s hopes alive after Bracewell’s heroics. Siraj finished his spell with the figures of 10-1-32-4, unfortunately missing out on a well-deserved 5-wicket haul.
Meanwhile, Siraj’s family, who was present at the ground, celebrated his maiden wicket of Siraj at home ground. The video of the same has been going viral on the internet. Watch it here:
Later, after the match, Siraj also took to his social media and expressed his emotions. He wrote: “Indeed a special feeling to play my first international match at my home ground while my family & friends were cheering for me. Long way ahead 🙏 and top knock today @ShubmanGill. Even Bracewell 👏”
Check out the Tweet:
