IPL 2022: Mohammed Siraj needs to go back to basics – RP Singh

Former Indian fast bowler RP Singh believes Mohammed Siraj needs to go back to the basics to get the best out of himself.

Singh feels the RCB bowler needs to motivate himself to get back on the right track. Siraj has definitely improved a lot in the last couple of seasons and his performances have been magnificent since he made his India debut in Australia at the MCG.

But he hasn’t been at his best in the ongoing season for RCB. Siraj has scalped six wickets in eight matches for RCB in the ongoing season but he has conceded his runs at a high economy rate of 9.73, which is the second-highest among the team’s bowlers after Akash Deep.

Siraj has failed to hit the right areas and he has been taken for plenty by the opposition batters. Meanwhile, RP Singh has noticed that Siraj used to bowl more with the seam, as it is his strength, and bowled the cross-seam delivery rarely. But former Indian pacer feels Siraj is now bowling more often with a cross-seam and that’s why there is a difference in his bowling.

“See, there’s certainly a difference in his bowling. If you look at Siraj in the earlier seasons, he used to hit the deck with seam, extracting a good bounce from the surface. Now, you don’t see him bowling with the seam,” RP Singh said on Cricbuzz.

“Earlier, he used to use cross-seam as a part of variation but now he is using it more often, which shows that you aren’t confident enough. It is important for Siraj to motivate himself. It is often said that the management and captain need to motivate players, but in reality, you will have to motivate yourself.”

RP Singh, who had a smooth bowling action, feels Siraj needs to go back to the basics to deliver the goods for RCB.

“He needs to go back to his basics. Don’t focus on too many variations, ensure a good follow-through. Just do that for one game. Once he finds his rhythm, the rest will take care of itself,” said Singh.

Siraj conceded 15 runs in two overs against Sunrisrers Hyderabad on Saturday and went wicketless. RCB will next face Rajasthan Royals at the Maharashtra Cricket Association, Pune on Tuesday.