"Keep Playing, Keep Getting Hit": Mohammed Siraj's Blunt Bowling Admission In IPL 2024

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season has been quite difficult for bowlers. With scores in excess of 250 runs being witnessed regularly, the batting mayhem in this edition of the T20 league has become a nightmare for bowlers. Flat pitches and shorter boundaries have made the job more difficult for bowlers this season. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer Mohammed Siraj admitted that life's been difficult for bowlers this season, but he continued to back himself and other players in the league to reinvent themselves in a bid to excel in the current conditions.

Speaking to media in the press conference after RCB's win against Gujarat Titans on Sunday, Siraj admitted that the level of cricket has gone extremely high.

"The level of cricket has gone extremely high. Every second game, you see scores of 250-260 in the IPL. But, this was not the case in the past. Very rarely have we seen scores of 250 or more in the previous seasons. But, every second match, a huge score is scored," Siraj told the press.

The flat wickets in this IPL, with little to no swing on offer, has made the job tougher for pacers. In a way, he admitted that the bowlers are bound to get hit hard this season.

"Bowlers have no help. The boundaries are small. On top of that, these are flat wickets. In the past, there was swing with the new ball. That too is not happening now. It has changed a lot. For bowlers, the mantra is 'keep playing, keep getting hit'," Siraj said.

Still full of optimism, Siraj urged bowlers to not stop believing in themselves. Speaking of his own form, Siraj said that he doesn't think he has bowled badly in this tournament at all.

"We (Bowlers) have to believe. For me especially, I have seen a lot of ups and downs in life. I believe that if I get hit in a match, I can bounce back in the next. I always look to bounce back and never give up," the RCB fast bowler said.

"The game has gone to a level such that if I get hit even after bowling a good delivery, I don't have a problem. I haven't bowled badly in the tournament. (A bowler conceding) 40 runs has become normal. In the past, it was like 'Oh no, he has given 40 runs in 4 overs'. But, 40 runs have become normal," he asserted.