Mohammed Siraj bowled the most brilliant spell of IPL 2021: Saba Karim

In the last 6-8 months, India and Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer Mohammed Siraj has impressed the whole nation with his bowling abilities. It is safe to say that the Hyderabad-born speedster is one of the most improved cricketers in recent times.

During an interview with India News, former BCCI General Manager and wicketkeeper-batsman Saba Karim stated that Mohammed Siraj's spell against Kolkata Knight Riders was the best one in the first half of the IPL 2021.

"The fast bowlers bowled lots of brilliant and effective spells. But in my opinion, Mohammed Siraj bowled the most brilliant spell although he did not take a wicket in that. It was in the match against Kolkata," Saba Karim was quoted as saying on India News.

Karim lauded the 27-year-old for his never-say-die attitude against KKR's fierce hitter of the cricket ball Andre Russell. Siraj's penultimate over in the game decided the match.

"Especially the 19th over Mohammed Siraj bowled, that too against Andre Russell. At that time KKR needed nearly 40 runs to win the match and he almost bowled a maiden over. He did not concede any fours or sixes and in the end that over proved very crucial for RCB," added Karim.

"The sort of batsman Andre Russell is, if he had struck two or three sixes in that over, the equation of the match would have changed in KKR's favour. So, it was a decisive spell from Mohammed Siraj although in the entire match he bowled just three overs, gave only 17 runs and did not take a wicket," said Karim.

After seven matches, Siraj has bowled 74 dot balls from 26 overs in the first half of the tournament.

"So in my opinion, it was an outstanding performance because T20 is generally a batsman's format but to bowl so brilliantly, that too against Andre Russell, it had a huge impact," Karim concluded.