Virat Kohli hailed Mohammed Siraj’s record IPL spell after Bangalore’s win over Kolkata.
Siraj wrote his name in the history books as he became the first player to bowl two maidens in an Indian Premier League match.
He eventually ended with figures of 2-3 from four overs as RCB hammered KKR to move into second in the table.
Kolkata ended their innings on 84-8 after early wickets fell. Royal Challengers lost both openers in the run-chase before Kohli and Gurkeerat Singh comfortably completed the job with 39 balls to spare.
Kohli said: “Siraj had a tough season last year and a lot of people went hard at him.
“This year he has worked really hard and was bowling well in the nets. He has seen the results now but we want him to keep following the process.”
Siraj, 26, believes the work he has put in practising with the new ball paid off for him against KKR.
He said: “First I want to thank Allah for my performance. Then thanks to Virat for giving me the new ball.
“I have been practising a lot with the new ball. We hadn’t planned that I would open but when we went out, Virat said ‘Miyan ready ho jao [Sir, get ready]’.
“The ball to Nitish Rana was very good. It was executed exactly how I planned.”
RCB are next in action when they take on Chennai Super Kings in Dubai on Sunday.
Morgan Blames Kolkata’s Batting
Meanwhile, KKR captain Eoin Morgan knew exactly where to look for the reason for his side’s disappointing defeat.
“It started with the batting,” said Morgan, who replaced Dinesh Karthik as the Knight Riders captain last week. “Being four or five down as early as we were is disappointing.
“RCB bowled well, but we should have countered that better, and with that dew, we probably should have bowled first.
“We have been consistent with our selections of the top three, we believe they are the ones to take us forward. They have shown potential.
“So it was important to back the Indian batsmen. Hopefully [Andre] Russell and [Sunil] Narine will be fit and available around the corner.
“Two guys of that calibre, particularly when they are all-rounders, is a big hole. Hopefully they will be available down the line.”
