India's Mohammed Siraj claims top spot in ODI rankings for bowlers
India's Mohammed Siraj has reached first position in the International Cricket Council's rankings for ODI bowlers.
Image credit: SALive Image Mohammed Siraj : Key bowler for RCBSiraj has overtaken New Zealand's Trent Boult and Australia's Josh Hazlewood, who have moved to second and third position, respectively.
Siraj took five wickets in two matches during India's ODI series against New Zealand recently.
Earlier this year, he took nine wickets in three ODIs against Sri Lanka.
On Tuesday, Siraj was named in the ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year and on Wednesday the right-armer had another reason to celebrate as he went past Boult and Australia seamer Josh Hazlewood to become the top-ranked ODI bowler for the very first time," read a statement from the ICC.
"Not only has Siraj's form over the last 12 months been imperious, but his efforts in ODI series at home earlier this month against Sri Lanka and New Zealand has shown just how much the right-armer has improved in recent times.
"India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey challenged Siraj to work on certain aspects of his game in the middle of last year and the extra training the energetic quick has put in has paid off in spades judged on recent performances."
The 28-year-old Siraj has played 15 Tests, 21 ODIs and eight T20Is since debuting in international cricket in 2017.
India captain Rohit Sharma added: "He has done really well, he understands what the team is expecting from him. To come and take the new ball, swing the ball, get early wickets. In the middle overs too, he's got so much skill. The more he plays, the better he gets."
