'Miya bhai in king's captaincy is vera level' - Fans react as Mohammed Siraj's four-for drives RCB to a 24-run victory against PBKS

Mohammed Siraj (Source: Twitter)

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) produced an outstanding bowling performance to clinch a 24-run win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Thursday and, thereby, registered their third win in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). RCB bowlers were usually criticized for being crushed by opponents, especially in death overs, but today, when it truly mattered. They stepped up and gave a superb effort to defend a modest total.

The brunt of the damage was done by pacer Mohammed Siraj, who registered his best bowling figures in the IPL. The right-hander took four wickets in his four overs, conceding just 21 runs, including the big wicket of Liam Livingstone. Siraj has taken 11 wickets in his six games, making him the tournament's leading wicket taker, so far.

Siraj show in Mohali destroys PBKS batters

Chasing 175, Siraj gave a tough start for the hosts as he dismissed opener Atharva Taide for just four runs in the very first over. Wayne Parnell gave another lead for the visitors by sending back Matthew Short in the second over. Siraj gave a massive breakthrough for RCB by taking the huge wicket of Livingstone in his second over. PBKS suffered an early slump inside the powerplay as they lost their fourth wicket in the form of Harpreet Singh Bhatia in the sixth over.

The loss of consecutive wickets increased the pressure on the PBKS batters. Prabhsimran Singh put in a brilliant performance to bring PBKS back into the game but fell four runs short before completing his half-century. After that, wicket-keeper batter Jitesh Sharma started to build a partnership with Harpreet Brar, but the 'Miyan' knocked over the latter in the 18th over and bowled Nathan Ellis in the same over to claim his best ever IPL figures.

Earlier, Faf du Plessis (84 off 56) and Virat Kohli (59 off 47) added 137-run partnership for the first wicket for RCB. However, the PBKS bowlers pulled things back from the middle overs, restricting the opposition to 174/4 in 20 overs.

Siraj was named Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance. During the post-match presentation, the 29-year-old said:

"The lockdown was really important for me, because I used to get hit for boundaries very often before that. I worked on my plans, my fitness and my bowling and it's all paying dividends now. I always try to improve in every department of the game because I understand it is important to contribute in whichever way possible."

Here's how fans reacted to Siraj's impressive performance against PBKS: 

Siraj under kohli is the best thing in modern cricket

— BRAND RR (@SACHINP66986272) April 20, 2023

ONE MAN ARMY of RCB bowling ❤

— DK (@CricCrazyDK) April 20, 2023

From just another fast bowler in the squad, From being terribly trolled for his performance to be most dependable and lead bowler of the squad

— Akhilesh Muppainmath (@AkhileshMupp) April 20, 2023

Credit to KING KOHLI 🔥🥵.. He trusted him from the beginning

— Praneeth (@fantasy_d11) April 20, 2023

Miya bhai in king's captaincy ♥

— Rupam Paul 🇮🇳🇫🇷 (@paulrupam2122) April 20, 2023

If siraj continues this form in coming IPL matches, he will be in good form and could become a game changer in terms of indian bowling lineup in WTC final🔥

— Lokesh🏝️ (@lokeshreddy94) April 20, 2023

He almost turned the game away towards RCB ...

— Shital Shelke (@PurwiShelke) April 20, 2023

Siraj is genuinely genarational!!! He's the best in the country by a mile

— AR (@AR17HD) April 20, 2023

Goat siraj deserve purple cap and he gets that

— pranav (@pranav610868332) April 20, 2023