Mohammed Siraj’s brilliant comeback in T20 World Cup: India won by 29 runs against the United States in their opening game of the 2026 T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday. Despite a batting collapse, India scored a total of 161 runs in their 20 overs, helped by Suryakumar Yadav’s 84*.
It was enough to defend the total as Indian fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh dismantled the United States top order, with the former taking two early wickets with the new ball. Siraj, who came in as a replacement for Harshit Rana, is out after suffering an injury during the practice match against South Africa.
USA batsmen had no answer to Mohammed Siraj
Siraj made a sensational comeback in the shortest format of the game after July 2024. He took three wickets for 29 runs in his four overs. The Indian fast bowler has performed brilliantly whenever he has got the opportunity and he led the attack in England as well. Former T20 World Cup winner Irfan Pathan praised him.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Irfan Pathan said, “When Bumrah is not playing, Siraj is completely different. Mohammed Siraj’s record is at a different level with and without Bumrah. The way he took three wickets was fantastic. I was very clear about who should get the new ball. I had said in the commentary even before his arrival that Mohammed Siraj should have the new ball.”
“When he got the new ball, he hit sixes, adjusted his length and took wickets. The wicket of Ghaus was particularly important because if he had stayed at the crease, played aggressively for three to four overs, he could have taken away the game. Gous is a player who plays at a very high strike rate and Siraj managed to get him out. After that, he took another wicket with his swinging balls.”
‘You haven’t seen fancy slow balls’- Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan also told that Siraj did not make any changes with the ball. “You didn’t see fancy slower balls or a lot of yorkers and bouncers. He bowled as usual with the new ball and took wickets. Two early wickets and then later on used a yorker to finish the match,” Irfan said.
Irfan concluded, “Overall, Mohammed Siraj’s comeback and the way he bowled shows that a true warrior with a big heart can always bounce back even after setbacks. He waits for his opportunity and makes the most of it. It was a big opportunity and Mohammed Siraj made a huge contribution.”
What will be India’s pace combination in the next game?
However, the 31-year-old fast bowler may miss the next game against Namibia if Jasprit Bumrah returns to the squad, having missed the opening game due to viral fever.
Arshdeep Singh and Bumrah are the two leading fast bowlers with whom India will look in the upcoming games of the competition. India will face Namibia on 12 February at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Also read: Mohammed Siraj’s claim of replacing Harshit Rana for T20 World Cup 2026 felt like a ‘joke’
