Wasim Jaffer, the former Indian opener made a massive statement about pacer Mohammed Siraj following Team India’s record 317-run win over Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, January 15. The former opener stated that when Mohammed Siraj bowls as he did in the third ODI, he makes up for the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.

Mohammed Siraj, who has been terrific in white-ball cricket over the last few months, claimed 4-32 in the third ODI against Sri Lanka on Sunday. He claimed four of the first five wickets to fall as the Lankans folded up for 73 in 22 overs, chasing a massive target of 391.

Wasim Jaffer: Mohammed Siraj’s Improvement In Limited Overs Format In The Last Year Amazing

The in-form 28-year-old fast bowler picked up the scalps of Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Nuwanidu Fernando, and Wanindu Hasaranga as Sri Lanka lost half their side for 37 inside 10 overs.  Defending 390, India bowled the visitors out for 73 to complete a 3-0 series whitewash.

Centuries from Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill powered India to 390 on a slow and seemingly lifeless track before the ball started hooping around under lights. Pacer Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the Indian bowlers as he took four wickets, and Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav supported him with two each as India bowled Sri Lanka out for 73. India’s victory margin was comfortably the biggest in ODI history.

Extolling the Hyderabad cricketer’s impressive performance, Wasim Jaffer said: “You can feel the progress he has made as a white-ball bowler. His red-ball bowling is top notch, but the way he has improved in white-ball cricket in the last year or so is amazing. In a way, you don’t miss Bumrah when Siraj is bowling like that. When Bumrah is not being missed, you can understand how much value Siraj brings in.”

The right-arm pacer Mohammed Siraj finished the ODI series against Sri Lanka as the leading wicket-taker, claiming nine scalps in three matches at an average of 10.22.

Wasim Jaffer Reckons Mohammed Siraj Makes The Ball Talk While Farveez Maharoof Is Impressed By The Pacer’s Wrist Position

Analyzing the fast bowler’s recent success in the white-ball formats, Wasim Jaffer attributed it to some genuine talent, which is backed by his aggression.

The former opener stated: “Siraj has been magnificent. He’s very aggressive, always at the batsmen. When things are not happening, he is trying to make some inroads. Phenomenal, getting the batters out with the new ball is not easy. The way he makes the ball talk, swinging it both ways, pretty skillful stuff from Siraj.”

Asked for his views on Mohammed Siraj’s rise as a pacer in international cricket, former Sri Lankan all-rounder Farveez Maharoof termed the cricketer’s wrist position as his most impressive attribute.

Wasim Jaffer elaborated: “When Siraj burst onto the scene few years back, he didn’t swing the ball the way he is doing at the moment. His wrist position is really good. The way he set up Hasaranga goes to show a bowler on top of his game and one who trusts his skills. He’s top-notch; he’s got the pace, bounce. Very impressed with his wrist position.”

In addition to 46 wickets in 15 Tests, Mohammed Siraj has picked up 33 wickets in 19 ODIs and 11 scalps in eight T20Is.

Mohammed Siraj debuted in ODIs way back in January 2019 but has played sporadically featuring in 19 ODIs where he picked 33 scalps averaging 22.15 with a best of 4/32 coming in the last match-the 3rd inconsequential ODI against Sri Lanka. He had an outstanding 2022 in ODIs where he picked 24 scalps in 15 games averaging 23.46. In 2023, he already has 9 scalps in 3 ODIs averaging a mere 10.22. His economy rate in ODIs is a mere 4.73.