Mohammed Siraj, who made his T20 debut in 2017 and ODI debut in 2019, made a real mark with his performances in Test cricket, where he became one of India’s premier bowlers.
Image Credit source: PTI
New Delhi: In the last few years in Indian cricket, a great plant of fast bowlers has come out. This country, which had some of the best fast bowlers like Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra, suddenly saw the emergence of names like Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and the best example of fast bowling, Jasprit Bumrah. all these names together Team India I came out in front and in such a situation there was a question whether even after this any Indian fast bowler would be able to make his mark. The answer was found on 26 December 2020 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The answer was- Mohammad Siraj.
Today is the birthday of right-arm Indian fast bowler Mohammad Siraj. Born in Hyderabad on March 13, 1994, Mohammad Siraj has become an important part of the bowling of the Indian team within the last 3 years. However, there was a time when Siraj got recognition from the Indian Premier League, but this recognition was not of a sharp pacer but of a hard-hitting bowler, but the journey to reach here was not easy for Siraj. Siraj’s father was an autorickshaw driver, who somehow fulfilled his son’s dream of becoming a cricketer.
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Slow start, then caught pace
Since his debut in Ranji Trophy for Hyderabad, Siraj started impressing in domestic cricket. At the same time, he got such a coach in the form of Bharat Arun, who not only understood Siraj’s passion, but also enhanced his ability. When Bharat Arun was the bowling coach of Team India, it was at that time that Siraj confirmed his place in Team India. However, before that Siraj’s start was not good.
Siraj made his T20 debut for India in 2017, while made his ODI debut in 2019. Despite this, Siraj could not confirm his place.
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By this time, Siraj was playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL and was proving very expensive there too. Despite this, he was trusted and then in the 2020 season played in the UAE, Siraj made headlines with his sensational performance. On the basis of continuous good game in domestic cricket and that performance of IPL, Siraj got a place in the Test team for the tour of Australia.
First tears in MCG, then amazing
While Siraj was in Australia with Team India, his father died of illness in Hyderabad. Young Siraj was completely broken and wanted to return home but his mother stopped him and asked him to fulfill his father’s dream. Siraj stayed with the team and made his Test debut on 26 December 2020 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. When the national anthem was played before the match, Siraj got emotional and started crying. Everyone appreciated his passion and enthusiasm. Siraj played an important role in winning the team by taking 5 wickets in the debut match.
He battled personal tragedy, fought adversity and is now rewarded with India’s Test ???? no. 298. Congratulations Mohammed Siraj. Go seize the day! #TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/D48TUJ4txp
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 25, 2020
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Back in ODI, crowned No.1
In this series, he was the highest bowler taking 13 wickets for India. Since this performance, he became an important part of the Indian fast bowling attack in Test cricket. At the same time, he had to wait more to make a place in ODIs and T20s, but in 2022, Siraj started showing his mettle even with the white ball.
Especially Siraj’s fire started in the ODI format and he took a series of wickets from England to West Indies, New Zealand and India. From his return to ODIs in February 2022 to January 2023, Siraj took the maximum 38 wickets for India. The result of this performance was that Siraj became the number one bowler in the ODI rankings in January 2023.
Siraj has so far taken 47 wickets in 18 Tests for India, while 38 wickets have come in his bag in 21 ODIs. At the same time, he has also taken 11 wickets in 8 T20 matches.
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