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Mohammad Siraj has progressed to become the world champion of ODIs to the extent that the critics have disappeared to the No. 1 position in the ICC rankings within a gap of one year that gave him a comeback.

Chiraj had been in the limelight since his Ranji days. Arudas assumed that red ball would build and rule cricket. In the 2016/17 season, he not only excelled domestically but also in international competitions, taking the most wickets for Hyderabad. His versatility was also showcased in the 2020/21 series against Australia when key players were unable to participate. He took 13 wickets in three matches and his impact in the series went beyond the numbers. Despite this, doubts about Siraj’s ability in the limited-overs format continued to be raised.

Everyone else, including the BCCI, had passed him over as he was not suited to white-ball cricket. Only Kohli and RCB kept their faith in him unwavering. Otherwise, Siraj had to spend several months with an insatiable longing for the Indian jersey. Siraj, who made his debut in the variations T20 format in November 2017, hasn’t had much of a chance since then.

The situation was even worse in ODIs, where he never made it into the playing eleven after his debut against Australia in January 2019. He had to do penance for three years. Siraj’s name was nowhere to be seen beyond the 100th spot in the rankings during this period.

Is the hunger always insatiable for those who are ambitious and desperate to win? It was also bothering Siraj. That’s what made him so great. That’s why this wicket machine has been rocking the arena ever since it stepped back into the ODI format last year. With the same desire, Siraj, who was at the 97th position in the ranking list in June last year, has progressed to the top position in a few months.

Siraj’s comeback came against the West Indies in ODIs in February last year. Siraj took five wickets in three matches in the series. Below Economy 4. It was from there that Siraj’s fury began to take off. England, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, South Africa, New Zealand, his balls have intimidated every batsman he has faced since then. Siraj also shone as India’s leading wicket-taker in ODIs last year, taking 24 wickets in 15 matches. An economy of just 4.62 takes away his personality. Siraj was the only Indian bowler to feature in the ICC’s ODI squad last year.

In Bumrah’s absence the team had to look to every fast bowler for elements to fill his place. Siraj has been able to do most of the things, though not all of them.

What is worth pointing out about Siraj is how he has carved himself up and progressed at every stage. The Indian bowling coach’s sacking also led to reports recently. However, Siraj’s hours of hard work and adaptability have kept him at the top.

He is not as fast as Umran. However, his control of line and length at pace and accuracy are his highlights. The fact that they have been refined many times over the past few months makes it even stronger. His off-cutters, white yorkers to complement his height and bouncers still identify him as dangerous. He has made Seam and Swing his puppets. The rolling Wobble Seam is still his secret weapon and confuses the batsmen.

Siraj makes up for Bumrah’s magic in the new ball perfectly, if not completely. Also, the middle overs are not going well. A break through between the spinners and the partnership is cut, and Siraj’s delivery is sizzling at that stage as well. And most of the matches he has played this year have been challenging bowlers on flat tracks. Moreover, he is able to keep a check on the wickets and the run-rate and tie the opposition in the powerplay overs, leading India.

He has played much better this year than last year. He has started the year ahead of the ODI World Cup with a bang, hitting 14 runs in five matches against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. The present throne is another milestone in his journey. Five bowlers from India have already sat on it. Among them, fast bowlers Kapil Dev and Bumrah are both new colors for Indian fast bowling. Siraj has reached such a place with his hard work.

Still his T20 format is not very promising, nor does it need to be at the moment. All that BCCI has to do is prepare him fully for the 50-over World Cup to be held at the end of this year. Audi will have to make sure his ODI format rhythm doesn’t suffer in the IPL.

Even on the battlefield a warrior must have the skill to make his own weapons. Similarly, Siraj has given wings to the firebird in him and improved his every ability to succeed in ODIs. It has taken him to the top and made his place permanent.

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