IPL 2024: Justin Langer lauds M Siddharth after spinner gets Virat Kohli’s crucial wicket

Siddharth and Virat Kohli. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

Lucknow Super Giants’ emerging left-arm spinner M Siddharth lived up to a pledge he made to his coach Justin Langer by dismissing the iconic cricketer Virat Kohli, during their last game at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

Impressed by Siddharth’s talent during a practice session, Langer had a straightforward request: “Get Virat Kohli out.” The young spinner, with a resolute nod, embraced the challenge. Unexpectedly, Siddharth fulfilled this commitment in just his second IPL appearance. After the game, Coach Langer shared the conversation he had with Siddharth, and the video went viral on social media.

Originally aspiring to replicate the pace of Irfan Pathan, Siddharth transitioned to left-arm spin due to his lack of speed. Nonetheless, his knack for swinging the ball endured. Recognized for his crafty deliveries that move unpredictably in the air, Siddharth has refined his skills to include variations in pace, making him a formidable adversary for any batsman.

Employing a strategic approach, Siddharth enticed Kohli into a trap using a mix of quick deliveries and a cleverly disguised slower ball. Kohli, renowned for his batting prowess, succumbed to Siddharth’s cunning, resulting in a comfortable catch at point off a leading edge.

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The significance of this dismissal cannot be overstated, especially given Kohli’s reputation for steering run chases. With Kohli well set on 22 runs, Siddharth’s breakthrough tilted the game in favor of Lucknow Super Giants, ultimately contributing to their 28-run victory.

I had always dreamt of taking his wicket: Siddharth

Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Siddharth expressed his joy, describing it as a dream realized, and said that he is very confident that he will do well for the team.

“I had always dreamt of taking his wicket. You can ask anyone… It’s the biggest wicket you can take. I’m really happy. I just wanted to keep it simple. I backed my strengths and I knew if I could hit the correct lengths, I could do well for the team,” he said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Siddharth’s path to IPL success has been marked by perseverance and tenacity. Originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, he relocated to Chennai at a young age to pursue his cricketing aspirations. Despite facing setbacks, including being released from previous IPL teams without getting an opportunity to play, Siddharth’s determination remained steadfast.