Renowned West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop has stated that Mohammed Siraj has surpassed Mohammed Shami in terms of performance in white-ball cricket. Siraj commenced the IPL 2025 season strongly, delivering consecutive match-winning displays against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad. He has taken 9 wickets across four matches, currently ranking second in the purple cap standings.

At his home ground, he proved to be a formidable opponent against Sunrisers, achieving a four-wicket haul that dismantled their impressive batting lineup. Additionally, he made Royal Challengers Bengaluru regret their decision not to retain him by securing three wickets at Chinnaswamy Stadium last week.

In contrast, Mohammed Shami has managed only five wickets in as many matches, with an economy rate of 9.29. While he performed reasonably well against the Titans with figures of 2/28, he has yet to make a significant impact for his new team this season. Although he was selected over Siraj for the Champions Trophy squad, it appears that the Gujarat Titans pacer has now outpaced him.

Bishop commented on the two Indian fast bowlers, noting that since Shami's five-wicket haul in the Champions Trophy against Bangladesh, he has not replicated that level of performance. 

“Since Shami achieved that five-wicket haul in the Champions Trophy, I don’t believe we have seen that version of him again. He’s 34, almost 35. It was two seasons ago when Siraj took ten wickets in the powerplay for RCB, but he only managed five last year, indicating a decline in his powerplay bowling,” Bishop remarked during an interview with ESPNCricinfo.

“If Siraj continues bowling as he has done…”

 After failing to take a wicket in his debut match, Siraj recorded figures of 2-34 against the Mumbai Indians, followed by 3-19 against Bengaluru at the venue where he spent seven years. He then delivered a match-winning performance with 4-17 in Sunday’s seven-wicket triumph over the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Bishop evaluated Siraj's recent bowling performances in the IPL and noted that if he maintains his current form, he will enhance his contributions throughout all phases of the game.

“However, he (Siraj) appears to be in better shape now. If he continues to maintain his length and effectively utilizes the seam, he seems to have surpassed Mohammed Shami at this point. Should Siraj sustain his bowling performance from the last two matches, I believe he will provide greater value across different phases,” Bishop remarked.

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