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Harbhajan Singh Raises Concerns over Mohammed Siraj’s Performance, Calls for Rest

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed concerns regarding the performance of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s fast-bowler, Mohammed Siraj, in the ongoing IPL 2024. Harbhajan believes that Siraj may benefit from both mental and physical rest following a string of disappointing performances, particularly highlighted by a difficult outing against the Mumbai Indians.

Siraj has managed to secure only four wickets in six matches this season, significantly below his previous standards. His average and economy rate have also suffered, standing at 57.25 and 10.40 respectively. This is a stark contrast to his impressive showing in the IPL 2023, where he secured 10 wickets with an economy rate of 5.9 in the Powerplay overs.

Harbhajan believes that Siraj’s recent struggles may be due to a combination of mental and physical fatigue. He has played a significant number of matches in recent months, including four Tests against England and various other series for Team India.

“He should be given rest for a couple of reasons,” said Harbhajan. “He should think about what has been happening in the team. He is the same Siraj that we have seen taking wickets with the new ball whether it’s in Test cricket, one-day cricket or even this format in T20.”

“He has been a champion bowler for Team India, and even for RCB, he has done well. But I feel he’s not doing what he is required to do, he requires rest, not only mentally but physically as well because he has been playing a lot of cricket.”

Harbhajan’s comments come after RCB’s disappointing performance against the Mumbai Indians, where they conceded 72 runs without taking any wickets during the Power-play overs. All RCB bowlers struggled to contain the opposition, with each of them returning with an economy rate above 10.

Former Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach Brian Lara has also weighed in on RCB’s performance, suggesting that their batters need to step up and make 20-30% more runs than usual.

“They’ve got to understand that with the bowling attack that they’ve got, they have to try and hit 20 or 30% more runs because it’s just not enough,” said Lara. “So they need to break their innings together and say we need to get so much in the Power-play, middle overs and the death, but nobody is getting into batting form, nobody is getting into bowling form as well, and it’s a team that is just not in the top 6 or 7 in this tournament.”

RCB will need to address these concerns if they want to improve their performance in the remaining matches of the IPL 2024.