'He's really unlucky. Wasn't even a guaranteed starter': RCB coach makes big statement on India pacer's ODI, T20I growth

Coach of RCB Mike Hesson has made a very interesting point about India's 28-year-old pacer not playing as many ODIs and T20Is.

The term 'process' holds plenty of significance in Indian cricket. Having first garnered attention during MS Dhoni's era of captaincy, the 'process' is what left out batting giants Sourav Ganguly and Rahul David from the Indian ODI team in 2008. Realising the importance of the next generation of Indian cricketers, Dhoni ensured tough calls were taken and that fielding was paid equal attention as bowling and batting. Once he was gone, Virat Kohli was given the baton and he transformed India into a formidable all-format unit. The importance of fitness was never more in Indian cricket, and it played a huge role in India’s magnanimous success in Tests overseas. All of it was possible only due to the 'process'.

Mike Hesson feels India's 28-year-old pacer has been ‘really unlucky’. (Getty/BCCI)

Once again, Indian cricket finds itself at the crossroads with the upcoming crop of players ready to take over. Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have already made their exits from the Test team and Kohli is no longer the captain. And by the looks of it, the chances of Rohit Sharma captaining India post the 2023 World Cup will be an audacious claim. Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat, Rishabh Pant are here, and once again, the transitional phase has begun.

The year 2021 was one of India's best winning in Australia and almost getting over the line in England. As India soared in Tests, one player made a big difference. On the back of a superlative IPL 2021, a 27-year-old Mohammed Siraj made his India Test debut at the G. And in front of a packed Melbourne crowd, picked up 3/37 in Australia's second innings. Two matches later, Siraj registered his maiden five-wicket haul and there was no looking back. Siraj went on to cement himself as India's third-pace option behind Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, leaving behind the experienced Ishant Sharma, and each time he is left out of the XI, questions are raised.

Siraj's stocks rose during the 2020 edition of the IPL, where he picked up 11 wickets, and his dream spell of 3/8 against Kolkata Knight Riders made the world take notice of a young talent. Siraj’s first few T20I matches for India, back in 2017 were pretty forgettable. He conceded 53 against New Zealand, 45 against Sri Lanka and 50 against Bangladesh. From there, to earn Kohli’s trust in the toughest T20 league in the world, Siraj had really turned a corner. One individual who monitored Siraj's growth during his time at the Royal Challengers Bangalore was Mike Hesson, the current coach of the franchise. Back then itself, he knew that Siraj was a star in the making.

"You talk about that enthusiasm… it's genuine. A lot of players can be really pumped up and enthusiastic when things are going your way. I always gauge a player when they are having a bit of struggle, and the energy that they bring to the group. And Siraj, when he was first here in 2020, he was not a guaranteed starter. In fact, he didn't start," Hesson responded to a query from The Hindustan Times.

"But the energy he brought to the group at every practice, at every open wicket, at every game that he wasn't playing, he was always so much team focussed. And when he did get an opportunity, everyone else in the team could not wait for him to do well. When a player does well, the fact that everybody in the change room in genuinely excited for him. It means that he is a great team man and for me that's hugely valuable."

Despite his massive success in Tests, surprisingly, Siraj's ODIs and T20I appearances for India have been sporadic. Since his Test debut, Siraj has played just only two T20Is and three ODIs for India. While it is understandable that Siraj is yet to reach the level of greatness that Bumrah and Shami have achieved, the fact that he hasn't turned out as much despite the absence of his senior pros is baffling. India have continued to persist with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and offered opportunities to Deepak Chahar, but not Siraj. However, Hesson believes that it's all part of the 'process' and that very soon Siraj will start playing more in all formats.

"Look, I think he is really unlucky in terms of he's in an era where India have a huge amount of depth in the seam-bowling ranks. And I also think he is in a period where a number of those bowlers have done well for India and they are coming potentially to the end of their careers. Hence, the selectors are giving them more opportunities to finish before Siraj then takes over. So I think it's just a natural succession plan. The likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar have still got plenty to offer and therefore he is getting more opportunities. In time Siraj will take over," mentioned the RCB coach.