Royal Challengers Bangalore Director of Cricket Mike Hesson on Saturday, May 28 backed Mohammed Siraj to come back stronger after the India pacer ended a forgettable IPL 2022 season with an unwanted record.
Hesson, speaking to the press after RCB were knocked out in Qualifier 2 by Rajasthan Royals on Friday, said Siraj lost a bit of confidence due to his inability to pick up early wickets but stressed that the pacer is mentally strong and will put behind the woeful season.
Siraj, who was dropped for RCB’s final league game, got the backing from the team management to get the job done in the playoffs. However, he was not able to repay the faith the team showed in him, picking just 1 wicket in the two playoff matches and conceding 75 runs in 6 overs across the matches.
On Friday, Siraj was taken to the cleaners in the powerplay as he conceded 34 runs in 2 overs in the powerplay as Rajasthan successfully chased down a 158-run target and sealed a berth in the IPL 2022 final. Siraj was not given more than 2 overs as he became the first bowler in the history of the IPL to concede 30 sixes in a season.
“Mohammed Siraj is a fine bowler, he didn’t have his best tournament but we know he will come back strong,” Hesson said.
“Just didn’t get us those new-ball wickets, didn’t get the ball swinging and probably lost a bit of confidence. But as I said, he will come back stronger.”
Siraj finished the IPL 2022 season with 9 wickets in 15 matches at an economy rate of 10.08 -- which is in stark contrast to the 6.78 economy rate from 2021 that led to RCB retaining him.
‘PRETTY PLEASED’
Furthermore, Hesson said he is happy with the performances of Glenn Maxwell and Virat Kohli and expressed satisfaction with their IPL 2022 campaign.
RCB have reached the playoffs for 3 successive seasons and they broke the Eliminator jinx this season.
“Glenn Maxwell had a good all-round season with both bat and ball. Very good strike rate and averaged almost 30. Went for 7 an over with the ball. Sure, you almost want more, but I think he had a pretty good season with both bat and ball.
“Obviously, we started with Virat at No. 3 but we moved him to the top. And he certainly got better and better as the season went on. Looked in good touch in the last 4-5 innings.
“All in all, pretty pleased with the way the team gelled this season,” Hesson added.
Rajasthan Royals, who reached their first final after the inaugural edition in 2008, will take on Gujarat Titans in the summit clash on Sunday in Ahmedabad.
Published By:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published On:
May 28, 2022 07:48 IST
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