Mohammed Siraj strikes in his first over, sends Travis Head’s leg stump flying in India vs Australia first ODI

India and Australia are currently in action in the first ODI of the three-match series against Australia, played in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Having won the four-Test Border-Gavaskar trophy series 2-1, the hosts are also looking for a win in the limited-overs format. Much like the crucial Test series, the ODI series will also be one with consequences. Notably, if Australia manages to win the series, they will become the number-one ODI side in the world.

In the first ODI, India star pacer Mohammed Siraj returned with a wicket in his very first over. In the final ball of the second over, Mohammed Siraj picked up a thick inside edge off Travis Head’s bat that went straight to hit the top of his leg stump. The stump went flying upon the impact as Australia suffered an early setback.

Here is the video:

Siraj does it again!!!#BGT2023 #bgt23 #BorderGavaskarTrophy #HardikPandya #INDvsAUS #INDvAUS #DavidWarner #siraj #mohammadshami #MohammedSiraj #shami #ViratKohli #virat #1stODI #WankhedeStadium #TeamIndia #CricketTwitter #Cricket #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/WY3R4dC5VK

— SportzCraazy (@sportzcraazy) March 17, 2023

Mohammed Siraj has been the best ODI bowler since 2022

The build-up to the ODI series has seen a lot of drama, starting from Shubman Gill’s opening partner in the absence of Rohit Sharma to stand-in captain Hardik Pandya’s statement of his potential return to Test cricket in the coveted final of the Global Test Championship.

“No. I am an ethically very strong person. I haven’t done 10% to reach there. I am not even a part of 1%. So, me coming there and taking someone’s place will ethically not go well. If I want to play Test cricket. I will go through the grind and earn my spot. Hence, for that reason, I will not be for the Test Championship final or future Test series until I don’t feel that I have earned my spot”, India’s stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya spoke about his Test return.

Notably, Mohammed Siraj has been the best ODI bowler in the world since 2022, with 39 wickets in 21 innings, conceding runs at an economical 4.4 runs per over. The current ODI series will serve well in the build-up to the ODI World Cup 2023, to be hosted by India later this year.