Mohammad Siraj picks a four-fer to dismantle Karnataka

Mohammad Siraj, the Hyderabad fast bowler, celebrated his India call-up just a day later with a four-wicket haul. Siraj, in the previous season for Hyderabad, grabbed 41 wickets in at an average of 18.92. He was instrumental in taking Hyderabad to the quarter-finals. His rise began since then as he sealed the deal with Gujarat Lions and provided a memorable performance in his debut season.

In India A’s tour of South Africa, he took a match haul of 5 for 103 in the only unofficial Test he played. He then scalped five wickets from three limited-overs matches against South Africa A and Afghanistan A. It was followed up by 2 for 74 in the only Duleep Trophy game he played last month. And in the first after India A’s assignment against New Zealand A, he finished with two wickets in the two List A matches.

In Hyderabad’s first game where the took field in this seasons after rains washed out two successive fixtures at home, Siraj bundled Karnataka out for 183 in their Group A clash in Shimoga. Siraj was complemented well by left-arm pacer Ravi Kiran, who finished with 3 for 36, while Pragan Ojha, in his first game for Hyderabad after two seasons in Bengal, took two wickets.  In reply, Hyderabad were left wobbling at 51 for 3, courtesy K Gowtham’s double-strike late in the day.

Karnataka’s decision to bat first backfired as they lost three wickets, including Test regular KL Rahul, inside the first half hour. Karun Nair with his 23 stitched together a 40-run stand with Stuart Binny, who was the top scorer of the innings by then with an 88-ball 61.

Hyderabad faces a huge task ahead in terms of qualification to the knock-outs in the remaining games, one that also includes Delhi. Siraj, who is now a key player for the Hyderabad, will also join the Indian squad after the ODI series against New Zealand ends.