India star copies Cristiano Ronaldo after inspiring huge Cricket World Cup win
Mohammed Siraj channelled Cristiano Ronaldo during India’s dominant win over Sri Lanka at the Cricket World Cup.
India thrashed their opponents by a whopping 302 runs in Mumbai to secure their place in the semi-finals of the home tournament. Put into bat, the hosts posted an imposing total of 357-8, with Shubman Gill (92), Virat Kohli (88) and Shreyas Iyer (82) all going berserk in front of a rowdy crowd.
Pace bowlers Siraj, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah then destroyed the Sri Lankan batting line-up, skittling them for 55. Sri Lanka were 3-4 after just 3.1 overs when Siraj produced a peach of a delivery to knock back Kusal Mendis’ off-stump.
Siraj’s third wicket prompted a familiar sight for Indian cricket fans: he jumped into the air, spinning around with his right arm in the air. The vast majority of the 27,327 fans inside the Wankhede Stadium reacted instantaneously with a cry of “SIIIUUUUU!”
The 29-year-old finished the game with 3-16, with Shami claiming 5-18 as Sri Lanka were humbled in 19.4 overs. Siraj has made no secret of his love for Ronaldo and has been cracking out the SIUUUU celebration on special occasions for the past few years.
Man Utd lose seven players and sign three as January transfer window closes
That is despite being advised not to do so, due to the perceived risk of injury. In an interview with Shami for the BCCI, Siraj said: “So, because I’m a Cristiano fan, which is why I celebrate like him,” he said. “Whenever I’ve bowled a batter, I celebrate that way. Not when it is caught at fine leg or something.”
Shami replied: “It’s a good thing that you are someone’s fan but as a fast bowler you should stay away from these jumps.”
Cristiano Ronaldo still wheels out his SIUUUU move (MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images)India were favourites to win the World Cup coming in the competition and have only reinforced that status through their performances. They have won all seven of their games to become the first side to qualify for the semi-finals.
"We're very happy knowing we have officially qualified,” captain Rohit Sharma said. “It's been a good effort from the entire squad, it has been clinical, we've wanted individuals to put their hands up. If there is something in the conditions, they [my seamers] are quite lethal with the ball. They are very pleasing to watch."
Sri Lanka skipper Mendis – the man castled by Siraj – said: "I'm very disappointed. We had reasons for wanting to bowl first, the wicket was a bit slow. Unfortunately, there was then a little bit of seam and swing which made it difficult to play at night. The Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli chances are very difficult but if you take them maybe the game is changed."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
