Sports: The 2026 T20 World Cup has brought a new hope and passion for Indian fast bowler Mohammad Siraj. After being a part of the 2024 world-winning team, he was out of this shorter format for a long time. However, luck changed such that Harshit Rana’s injury and Jasprit Bumrah’s sudden deteriorating health opened the doors of the playing eleven for him. In the match against America, he completely pushed the opponents on the backfoot with his consistent bowling and trumpeted his spectacular comeback.

Story of Siraj’s return to the team

Let us tell you that Siraj played his last international T20 match against Sri Lanka on 30 July 2024. After that match, he was constantly out of sight of the team management and was not even included in the initial plans for the 2026 World Cup. But cricket is a game of uncertainties. The injury of young bowler Harshit Rana and the unwellness of Jasprit Bumrah on the morning of the match gave Siraj the platform he had been waiting for for a long time.

Strong counterattack after the six

During the match, Siraj handled the second over of the innings for India. On his very second ball, American opener Andrew Goss made his intentions clear by hitting a skyscraper six on the front side. But Siraj is known for his aggression. He made an amazing comeback in the next few balls. He dodged Goss with his pace and gave a straight catch into the hands of Tilak Verma posted in the cover area. India got a big success as soon as Goss was out.

America’s back was broken by the second wicket

Siraj sharpened the edge of his bowling and showed the way to the pavilion to America’s leading batsman Saiteja Mukkamalla in his next over. 21-year-old Mukkamalla’s recent form was quite impressive, but he could not match Siraj’s experience. Varun Chakraborty took a safe catch of Mukkamalla on an accurate inswinger ball from Siraj. This big wicket completely destabilized America’s batting order, due to which India’s grip on the match became even stronger.
 

Captain’s confidence in powerplay

Indian team captain Suryakumar Yadav had sensed Siraj’s confidence and precise direction. This was the reason why he made Siraj bowl three consecutive overs within the powerplay. The discipline shown by Siraj after hitting the initial six was praiseworthy. He spent only 12 runs in his next 16 balls and took two important wickets. Due to this tight bowling of Siraj, America’s team could score only 31 runs in the batting powerplay of the first six overs.

Suryakumar played a wonderful inning of 84 runs.

In this match, the bowlers also got full support from the batsmen. Captain Suryakumar Yadav himself led from the front and played a brilliant inning of 84 runs, due to which India gave America a challenging target of 161 runs. Surya’s brilliant batting and then Siraj’s initial shock turned the entire scenario of the match in favor of India. This effective comeback of Siraj is not only pleasant for his career but also provides a new energy to the future bowling attack of the Indian team.