Mohammed Siraj has death over bowling average 36.30 in ODIs and economy of 7.59. Do India need to look beyond Siraj in death over?
Mohammed Siraj, a name synonymous with raw pace and determination, has emerged as one of India’s promising fast bowlers in recent years. His journey from the streets of Hyderabad to the international cricket arena is inspiring. However, like any budding cricketer, Siraj’s career has its own set of challenges. One significant area of concern for him has been his performance in the death overs of One Day Internationals (ODIs). As India look towards the future of their pace attack, Siraj’s struggles in this crucial phase of the game have become a focal point.
The numbers behind the struggle
Siraj’s statistics in ODIs provide a clear picture of his contrasting performances. In the early and middle overs, he has shown great promise. His ability to swing the ball and generate pace has made him a potent weapon for India. However, the death overs (overs 41-50) have been a different story altogether.
Overall ODI Stats (as of August 2024):
- Matches: 43
- Wickets: 70
- Economy Rate: 5.08
- Death Over Economy Rate: 7.59
- Death Over Wickets – 10
- Death Over Average – 36.30
These numbers highlight a significant discrepancy. While Siraj has maintained a respectable economy rate overall, his figures in the death overs are worrying. An economy rate nearing 8 runs per over in the final stages of the innings is far from ideal, especially for a team aspiring to dominate world cricket. His performance in death overs this year has been forgettable. He has leaked runs at an economy of 9.20 in death overs and is yet to pick a wicket.
Poor outing in ODI World Cup
Except for the game against Sri Lanka where he picked six wickets, Siraj didn’t have a tournament to remember. He constantly leaked runs in the slog overs and as a result Rohit Sharma, the India captain, tended to use him before the death overs.
Opting for Arshdeep Singh in T20 World Cup 2024 over Siraj was once again a tactical decision from the team management. Arshdeep was seen nailing Yorkers and using slower balls quite exceptionally while Siraj failed to control the flow of runs.
The aging pace battery
The concerns surrounding Siraj’s performance are compounded by the current state of India’s pace battery. Mohammed Shami, a stalwart of Indian cricket, is already 33 years old. While he continues to perform at a high level, age is not on his side, and his ability to serve the team for much longer is uncertain.
Jasprit Bumrah, another key figure in India’s bowling attack, has also crossed 30. Although Bumrah still has several years ahead of him, the team must start planning for a future where he might not be around. Bumrah and Shami will be playing the major tournaments and test series, similar to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
In this context, Siraj’s role becomes even more critical. He is expected to shoulder more responsibility and lead the pace attack alongside emerging young pacers. However, his current form in the death overs does not inspire confidence.
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The state of confusion
One of the primary issues with Siraj’s death-over bowling is his apparent state of confusion. In the slog overs, he often appears unsure of his plans and executes deliveries that are easy pickings for set batters. This lack of clarity and consistency in his strategy has made him vulnerable, especially under pressure.
Siraj’s deliveries in the death overs frequently miss the yorker length, turning into full tosses or half-volleys that batters can easily dispatch to the boundary. His slower balls and bouncers, often bowled without a clear plan, end up being too predictable. This inconsistency has been a significant factor in his high economy rate during the final overs.
The path forward
For Siraj to establish himself as a reliable death-over specialist, he needs to work on several aspects of his game. Developing a clear plan and honing his skills in executing yorkers and variations under pressure are essential. The support from the coaching staff, particularly from experienced bowlers like Shami and Bumrah, will be crucial in his development.
Siraj could benefit from specialised training sessions focused on death-over scenarios. This includes working on his mental approach, field placements, and specific bowling techniques suited for the final overs. Learning from past experiences and adopting a more analytical approach to his bowling can help him become more effective.
Moreover, India’s management need to ensure that Siraj is given ample opportunities to bowl in the death overs in various match situations. This experience is vital for him to gain confidence and learn the nuances of bowling under pressure.
Conclusion
Mohammed Siraj’s struggles in the death overs are a concerning aspect of his otherwise promising career. With Shami nearing the end of his career and Bumrah also aging, Siraj needs to step up and lead the pace attack with more authority. His current challenges in the death overs highlight the need for focused training and strategic clarity.
Only time will tell if Siraj can overcome these hurdles and become the death-over specialist that India desperately need. His journey from a raw talent to a polished death-over bowler will be crucial for India’s future success in international cricket.
I agree, but I don't find any replacement either. Arshdeep in ODI's seems not so good. Maybe should bring in domestic bowlers in the team like Gurbani.