I’ve changed my mentality: Mohammed Siraj on the process behind early success in IPL 2023

RCB will take to the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday afternoon as they welcome the Delhi Capitals for the 20th match of IPL 2023, with both sides keen to snap out of a losing rut. 

While the home team has at least one win to show from three matches, the Capitals have endured a torrid start to their IPL 2023 campaign, with losses from each of their four games so far, a result that has rooted them to the bottom of the points table. 

One of the biggest positives for RCB apart from their batting unit firing in unison is the performance of their bowlers inside the powerplay stages. The RCB bowlers, led by pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj, have combined to pick up eight wickets from three matches within the powerplay, highlighting their effectiveness with the new ball. 

Siraj, in particular, has been RCB’s standout bowler, and at the Chinnaswamy Stadium this IPL 2023, he boasts of an economy rate of just 5.4 RPO, an impressive showing on a ground which has earned a reputation for being a bowler’s nightmare. 

Speaking on his rich vein of form with the ball, Siraj, on RCB’s Game Day preview, shed some light on a change in mentality that has brought about positive sets of results for him. He said, “My bowling process has remained the same, I’ve changed my mentality. Last year I focussed a lot on what people said about me and what they wanted to say about me, so I focussed on that a lot instead of my bowling. This year I’m enjoying my bowing and staying in the present, so that’s helping me and I’m also getting wickets.” 

RCB head coach Sanjay Bangar also voiced his opinion on how the bowlers’ performance in the powerplay is a massive confidence booster for the team. 

Bangar said, “It’s very encouraging indeed, the way bowlers have bowled in the powerplay. Especially that’s a phase where the game gets set up and all our bowlers have given us those breakthroughs. Siraj, Reece (Topley) in the game which he played, David (Willey) in the KKR game and (Wayne) Parnell as well, so that’s a heartening factor.” 

“Once you pick up wickets with the new ball, that’s going to set the game back for the opposition and give us a bit of an edge going into the middle overs.”