ENG vs IND: Mohammed Siraj produces double-wicket maiden following chat with Virat Kohli

India are up against England in the third and final ODI of the series at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Sunday, 17th July. While Virat Kohli has struggled to add valuable contributions with his bat, the former Indian skipper was seen giving a few pieces of advice to Mohammed Siraj, who grabbed two massive wickets in his first over.

Mohammed Siraj was included in the playing XI after India’s bowling spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, missed the final ODI due to a back spasm and was not risked by the team management. Arshdeep Singh, who might have been the ideal replacement, is also recovering from an abdominal strain, thus leading to Siraj featuring in the match in Manchester.

England were off to a rollicking start after being put in to bat first by Rohit Sharma as the English opener Jason Roy hit Mohammed Shami for three boundaries in the first over. Siraj, who shares a close bond with former Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, received a few words of wisdom before his first over. The Indian pacer was bang on the money from the start, and after beating Jonny Bairstow’s bat with his second delivery, he dismissed the explosive batter with his third ball.

Kohli was once again seen talking to the young Indian pacer, and whatever he said seemed to work as Siraj squared up England’s batting bulwark Joe Root with a jaffa to dismiss him for a duck. Both Kohli and Siraj celebrated by pointing toward each other, which suggests they had planned the dismissal of the former English skipper.

Mohammed Siraj enjoys playing under Virat Kohli

Notably, Siraj began his international career under Kohli and flourished under his leadership, especially since making his debut in red-ball cricket in 2020. The Indian pacer first played under Kohli’s reign for IPL side Royal Challengers Bangalore, and his game has improved drastically since then. A regular on the Test side, the 28-year-old has struggled in white ball cricket off late, but his impressive outing against England might be a start of his revival in the shorter format of the game as well.