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'I Had Spoken To Rohit Bhai': Siraj Reveals Secret Behind Abdullah Shafique's Wicket

image-lnsh4kcfMohammed Siraj claims Abdullah Shafique's wicket [X.com]

Representing the nation in a World Cup is a massive achievement for any cricketer, and playing in India-Pakistan only adds to the pressure and drama around it. 

In the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup in India, Mohammed Siraj, who has been the most consistent ODI bowler in 2023, has blown hot and cold, picking up three wickets in as many games.

However, the bowler became a game-changer for India on Saturday at Narendra Modi Stadium against arch-rivals Pakistan, clinching the wickets of Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam, triggering a collapse. 

In the post-match press conference, Siraj revealed tactics behind getting Shafique's scalp. The bowler started his spell on an expensive note, but skipper Rohit Sharma persisted and the Hyderabad-born produced the desired result as planned. 

As quoted by Times of India, Siraj explained how he and Sharma executed a near-perfect plan against Shafique, who looked settled in the middle, scoring 20 off 24. 

Interestingly, just before Shafique's dismissal, Sharma and Siraj had made a minor fielding placement change, bringing the fine-leg fielder inside, showcasing that another bouncer was on the way. 

Here's what Siraj revealed

"Shafique’s wicket was to a plan. I had spoken to Rohit bhai. I had bowled a bouncer to him before, but he got stuck in the middle. He thought I was going to bowl a bouncer again and went on the back foot, but I had pitched the ball up and I got good success,"

In 17 ODIs this year, the 29-year-old has claimed 33 wickets with one five-wicket haul. Siraj will be in action next against Bangladesh when India takes the field on October 19 at Pune.