IND v SL 2023: 'Siraj was on par with Virat'- Gambhir feels they should've been joint Player of the Series winners

Gautam Gambhir was highly impressed with Mohammed Siraj's performance in ODI series.

Virat Kohli | BCCI

Gautam Gambhir seems to be unhappy with Virat Kohli getting the Player of the Series award for his fabulous batting performance in the ODI series against Sri Lanka at home, as the former Indian opener feels Mohammed Siraj also performed exceptionally and deserved the honor.

Notably, Kohli and Siraj were both instrumental in Team India’s 3-0 win over Sri Lanka in the three-match ODI series, where the former skipper amassed 283 runs with the help of two hundreds, while the pacer finished as the leading wicket-taker with 9 scalps.

However, the right-hander clinched both the Player of the Series and Player of the Match awards for his record-breaking knock of 166* in the final ODI against Sri Lanka, and Gambhir feels injustice was done to Siraj, saying there should’ve been a joint Player of the Series award.

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Gautam Gambhir said on Star Sports: “He was on par with Virat Kohli. There should be a joint Man of the Series. He was exceptional and his spells came on proper batting wickets. I know you are always tempted towards giving batters Player of Series awards, but Siraj was absolutely exceptional.”

Gambhir further lauded Siraj, who was particularly impressive with the new ball and has been regularly providing early breakthroughs to the Men in Blue, after he missed a fifer in the final ODI against Sri Lanka.

He signed off by saying, “I think the hallmark is, he will get many more five-fors, it’s not about that he didn’t get it today but how good was he, especially with the new ball. In every game, he was able to set the tone. He is a player for the future and is getting better after every series.”

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 17 Jan, 2023

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