DUBAI: Mohammed Siraj, an Indian pacer, on January 25 became number one bowler in the ICC rankings for ODI bowlers, a testament to his rapid rise in international cricket.
Siraj overtook Josh Hazlewood of Australia and Trent Boult of New Zealand to take the top spot among ODI bowlers for the first time.
Siraj's performance in the ODI series at home earlier this month against Sri Lanka and New Zealand demonstrated just how much the right-armer has advanced in recent years. Siraj's performance over the past 12 months has been immaculate.
Last year, India's bowling coach Paras Mhambrey pushed Siraj to improve specific facets of his game, and the additional work the vivacious fast put in has paid off.
Siraj led the team in wickets taken during the three-game series against Sri Lanka with nine, and he followed that up with a four-wicket haul in the first game of the recently concluded series against New Zealand.
With just two rating points separating him from Hazlewood at the top of the list, Siraj ascends to the top spot among ODI bowlers with 729 rating points.
After India's series rout of New Zealand, when questioned about the young pacer Siraj, captain Rohit Sharma was all praise for him.