Home
Mohammed Siraj bagged three wickets during India's hard-fought victory over Australia in the first ODI at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday, March 17. His combination with Mohammed Shami was deadly for India, as they wrapped up the visitors for 188 runs in 35.4 overs.
Siraj started with the wicket of opener Travis Head in the final ball of the second over of the match. The Australian had scored just five runs in 10 balls when Siraj bowled a good length that sent the leg stump cartwheeling.
After taking the dangerous left-handed batter's wicket, Siraj chose to celebrate in a unique manner. He did the special Cristiano Ronaldo celebration — SIUUU — which is the Portuguese football superstar's go-to celebration whenever he scores a goal for club and country.
SEE THE VIDEO HERE:
After the match, Siraj revealed during a conversation with Mohammed Shami on BCCI TV that he is a big fan of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner and does this celebration whenever he gets a brilliant wicket. "I am a big fan of footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. That's why whenever I get a wicket clean bowled or in some other brilliant way during a match, it comes out from inside me. But if the batter gets out after playing a shot to fine leg, then I do not do this celebration."
Speaking about his tactics during the game, Siraj said, "My plan was to keep things very simple. (Talking to Shami) As you saw while bowling on the wicket, you were getting help. After that, I also talked to you, and the tips you gave helped me a lot. He was a left-handed batsman, so I tried the inswing, which got the wicket."
Meanwhile, in response to Australia's 188, India scored 191 after they lost four wickets in quick succession. Hero on the night was the under-fire KL Rahul, whose unbeaten innings of 75 runs off 91 balls and unbeaten partnership of 108 runs with Ravindra Jadeja (45 off 69) as India sealed a five-wicket victory.
The second ODI of the series will be played on March 19 in Vishakhapatnam.
