Virender Sehwag has launched a scathing critique of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for their decision to release Mohammed Siraj and for the ineffective utilization of the bowler by former captains Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis. Sehwag’s comments came ahead of a match where Siraj, now with Gujarat Titans, returned to face his former team at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Sehwag emphasized the transient nature of franchise cricket, stating, “In franchise cricket, there is no guarantee that a team will retain you. He has gone to Gujarat, and in three years, they might not retain him as well. Players need to get used to it.” He highlighted Siraj’s determination to prove a point against RCB, where he spent seven years, saying, “Today, when he plays against RCB, he will play to prove a point. You let me go, and now I will get the wickets of your batters.”
Sehwag pointed out Siraj’s effectiveness in the powerplay, criticizing RCB’s strategy: “RCB missed a trick by letting Siraj go. His stats are so good in the powerplays. It was in the death overs where he struggled.” He drew comparisons with how other teams have utilized their bowlers, noting, “Take an example of how MS Dhoni used Deepak Chahar over the years; he used to bowl him out inside the powerplay. Rajasthan Royals used to do a similar thing with Trent Boult. They never had to bowl him in the death overs.”
Sehwag further elaborated on the challenges of bowling in the death overs, stating, “RCB captains over the years failed to make the most out of Mohammed Siraj. In the last overs, every bowler will get hit. I have not seen any bowler who has not conceded runs in the slog overs, be it Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Shami, or Jasprit Bumrah; everyone concedes runs in the last over.”
Siraj’s performance against RCB was nothing short of spectacular. Returning to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, he bagged the Player of the Match award with an exceptional spell of 3 for 19, setting up a convincing eight-wicket win for Gujarat Titans. Reflecting on his performance, Siraj shared, “It was a bit emotional because I played in the red jersey for 7 years. But as soon as I got the ball in my hand, it was full on.”