Mohammed Siraj breathed fire in power-play and death overs to pick his career-best figures of 4\/21 to take Royal Challengers Bangalore to a 24-run win over Punjab Kings in an IPL 2023 match at the IS Bindra PCA Stadium, here.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The spell also propelled Siraj to be leading wicket-taker of the competition with 12 wickets in six games at an average of 13.41 and economy rate of 6.71.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On being quizzed by Dinesh Karthik in a video by IPL's Twitter account over the feeling of wearing purple cap, Siraj recalled how he got the ambition in mind to wear the orange cap.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I feel very good about it. In my first year when I was playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad and in the final Bhuvi bhai (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) won the purple cap (in IPL 2017). At that time, I went to receive the cap on his behalf."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"That day I realised I too wanted to wear the purple cap one day. After that, in five years I went for so many runs. Then I had a few good games and then once again went for runs. Now I am feeling very confident and having a lot of fun," he said. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Siraj had an unimpressive IPL 2022, taking only nine wickets in 15 games at an economy rate of 10.08. But in IPL 2023, Siraj has turned a corner, becoming a mainstay with the ball for Bangalore in the power-play. He also said how being in the present has helped him perform well in the ongoing season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"My last IPL did not go well. I was thinking now I am part of the Indian team and the things I wanted to execute, I was not able to execute that. I also wanted to play all three formats. Then I realised if I have to get selected for the World Cup, it will happen anyway."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"At this moment what are the things that are in my hand? Whatever is to happen will happen anyway and I should focus on the present. I only want to focus on how I am bowling and executing it is helping me perform well and giving me success as well."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asked on the process he follows during IPL, Siraj stressed on the importance of warm-up routine. "When I come to the ground, the first thing I do is do my routines and warm-ups properly. Warm-ups are not easy but they make me feel stronger and I concentrate on my bowling rhythm and whether the ball is coming out of my hand nicely or not, that's my focus. After that slowly the rhythm builds up automatically."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Because now there is little time between the games, I practice less and work on fitness more. I am coming after playing a lot of games (for India). My rhythm is also good. I am building my strength in the gym. My dietician, our S&C coach, is also helping me a lot. It is helping me a lot and I want to continue like this moving forward."<\/p>\r\n\r\n