Royal Challengers Bangalore’s hopes of making it to the play-offs were met with a major blow after their 54-point loss to Punjab Kings which meant they were left at 14 points with just one game left. RCB’s net run rate also suffered and this could be a major problem with quite a few teams sticking their necks out in the race for the play-offs. On Friday, two RCB bowlers had a nightmare: Mohammed Siraj and Josh Hazlewood. While the Australian was impressive all season and the performance against PBKS was probably just a blip, Siraj was poor throughout IPL 2022.
The Indian fast bowler has taken eight wickets in 13 matches, but even more worryingly for RCB, he has an economy of 9.82.
Also on Friday, Siraj was caught for 36 runs from his first two overs, with captain Faf du Plessis no longer calling for his services in the game. The fact that RCB was retained for a whopping Rs 7 crore and his performance after that for the team has not gone down well with some fans.
This Siraj is one of the main reasons for our season this year… I mean man you are an international bowler… 4-5 matches understood but not even better to be a conserved man.
Drop him and bring in Chama Milind..#RCBvPBKS https://t.co/iL05T7F1IE
— (@KaptaanSparrow) May 13, 2022
RCB after retaining Siraj instead of Chahal pic.twitter.com/b6b9BaoB4R
— one tribe (@onetribepost) May 14, 2022
While it was a very bad game for Hazlewood, whose season ER went down to 7.88 from 6.81 after today, Siraj has been pretty bad this season. He has gone for 10 RPO 5 times this season and his total economy for the season is now 9.82.
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) May 13, 2022
Mo Siraj gave up 442 runs and 45 overs with an economy of 9.82 and took just 8 wickets at an average of 55.25 so far this season.
It’s going to be one of the worst seasons for any international bowler.
Felt really disappointed— Anurag Jain (@HonestCric8Fan) May 13, 2022
Mohammed Siraj got a prize for the fastest ball of the game… he was crushed for six. I love IPL crazy end-of-game awards
— Nick (@nickcricket) May 13, 2022
Stop playing siraj and give others a chance. This is why rcb will always fail and will continue to fail. Management team goes for egos and superstars who are out of shape
— Saurabh badhya (@deprezzedszn) May 13, 2022
If you hold this man next year, siraj, I’m going to sue you @RCBTweets
— Kohli waning era (@Prernuuuuxxxx) May 13, 2022
#Siraj is clearly a waste for #RCB this whole season and we have to admit that.
Giving runs in the Powerplay
Giving Russian in the Middle Overs
Giving Runs in the Death Overs@iamsidkaul must come now or it will be over for #RCB— Civil Guard (@mrvigilantee) May 13, 2022
How much more hideous does Siraj have to be this season to hold a drop? stupid
— Marissa Chandler (@Rissa91_07) May 13, 2022
If you ever think you are brainless, remember that RCB released yuzi to keep Siraj.
— (@Karan__18) May 13, 2022
Siraj problems for Rcb and hard for PBKS pic.twitter.com/GoHxZNNSnI
— Shivani (@meme_ki_diwani) May 13, 2022
RCB kept playing against Siraj and didn’t give Sid Kaul a chance. At least ek do corresponds to ke liye with isko bitha dete. Itna supports karna bhi theek nahi hai. Siraj can’t even understand how bad he is at bowling.
— Shivanand (@ShivasRegal007) May 13, 2022
In fact, compared to Siraj, other RCB frontline bowlers have done very well.
RCB spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is the current Purple Cap holder, having taken 23 wickets in 13 matches against an economy of 7.48. Following him is Harshal Patel, last season’s Purple Cap winner, Harshal Patel, who took 18 wickets in 12 games against an economy of 7.72.
Hazlewood has 13 wickets to his name in just nine matches and an economy rate of 7.88.
promoted
Glenn Maxwell was also prolific with the ball in hand, taking five wickets in just 17 overs bowled and an economy rate of 7.05.
Compare that to Siraj, who has bowled 45 overs, and his average of 55.25 is one of the worst for bowlers who have bowled more than 20 overs this season.
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