Former Indian player wants Bangalore to release this star player
Mohammad Siraj-Virat Kohli (Image Source: BCCI/IPL)
Mohammed Siraj has evolved as a brilliant bowler in the longest format of the game in the last season. But he has still got a lot of work to do as a T20 bowler and the same was evident in his performance in the latest edition of the Indian T20 League. He picked up just 9 wickets from the 15 matches that he played while giving away runs at the rate of 10.07 runs per over. His performance was below expectations given that Bangalore retained him ahead of the Indian T20 League 2022.
Bangalore under the leadership of Faf du Plessis entered the playoffs of the 15th edition of the cash-rich league. The other bowlers in the squad like Josh Hazlewood, Harshal Patel, and Wanindu Hasaranga played a big role in Bangalore’s successful run. While the bowling unit of the team was looking in good rhythm Siraj appeared to be the weak link for the team.
The former Indian opener turned cricket expert, Aakash Chopra has spoken up about the future of Siraj in the franchise. He feels that Bangalore can release him before the auction next year and then buy him back at a much cheaper price. He also feels that the young pacer Akash Deep could have been given more chances to play in the tournament.
“Mohammed Siraj was retained for seven crores. You may release him. If you release him, whom will you get, that’s a big question because you will have to get an Indian bowler. You can buy him back cheaper actually, he will not be sold for seven crores now,”- Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“You have an overseas bowler in the form of Josh Hazlewood, Harshal Patel has done very well, Akash Deep was not too bad at the start as well. You wanted to hold on to him (Siraj), I thought that was a great idea but the season has not been good,”- Chopra added.
