Mohammed Siraj played an instrumental role with the ball in India’s 2-1 ODI series win over South Africa at home.

The right-arm pacer finished the three-match ODI series with five wickets to his name and rightfully earned the Player-of-the-Series award.

With Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2022 due to back injury, Siraj also strengthened his claims as the former’s replacement for the marquee ICC event, starting October 16 in Australia.

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“Performing against a good team gives you a lot of confidence. I had to take the responsibility. I try to figure out the right lengths at the start of the innings. As a fast bowler you need that fire and passion inside you. Happy with my performance, and happy to get this Player of the Series award," said Siraj at the post-match presentation ceremony after the final ODI in Delhi.

On the other hand, opening batter Shubman Gill expressed his disappointment on getting out for 49 when the hosts were just a couple of runs away from completing the chase.

However, Gill was happy with India’s comeback after losing the first ODI in Lucknow by 9 runs.

“Quite disappointed by the way I got out. But all learnings from the series - the way we were down and the way we came back was tremendous. The bowlers did a great job in this series. Really pleasing series for us. There were a lot of young players including myself."

“The way we came back showed we have the character that it takes. The talk was just to express ourselves and trust the process. Doesn’t matter what the result is. Exciting times for us with the 50-over Asia Cup coming up. And the WC being here in India (next year), definitely a lot of excitement around."

(With IANS inputs)