xtratime Logo

Xtra Time Web Desk: Royal Challengers Bangalore fast bowler Mohammed Siraj set a unique record in the history of IPL on Wednesday night against Kolkata Knight Riders. The fast bowler from Hyderabad bowled two consecutive maidens inside the 1^st Powerplay apart from picking three wickets. Siraj revealed that RCB Captain Virat Kohli threw him the ball in the second over only after seeing Chris Morris getting some swing in the first over of the match. It turned out to be a masterstroke as Siraj completely decimated the KKR top order to see them reeling at 17/4 after the first 6 overs.

 “First I want to thank Allah for my performance. Then thanks to Virat for giving me the new ball. I have been practising a lot with the new ball, Siraj said. “We hadn’t planned that I will open but when we went out, Virat bhai said Miyan ready ho jao. [Sir, get ready.]. The ball to Rana was very good. Executed exactly what I had planned,” said Siraj during the post match conference.

He also elaborated what it meant to finally bowl with the new ball. It had been a long time since the fast bowler was given the new ball, perhaps because of his high economy run-rate, but when the opportunity came for the 26-year-old, Siraj ensured he did not waste it.

“The initial plan for was me to come first change. But the moment I entered the ground, Virat bhai informed me,” Siraj said. “It was after a long time that I got the new ball. The last time it happened was during my first IPL year, when I’d bowled against Sunrisers Hyderabad (in 2017). After that today, I got the opportunity to bowl with the new all today, so it felt great.”