The background:
Mohammed Siraj’s rise in the last one year has been nothing short of phenomenal. Just a year ago, the right-arm pacer was a relatively unknown name in Indian cricketing fraternity. However, his performance in the 2016-17 Ranji season for Hyderabad, which was his first full season, has put him firmly among the most sought after names in domestic arena.
He was the second-highest wicket-taker – 41 – among fast bowlers in last year’s Ranji Trophy and played an integral role in Hyderabad making the Ranji Trophy knockouts for the first time in five seasons. His performance against the formidable Mumbai in the quarter-final when he picked up nine wickets left everyone impressed and he was duly rewarded for his impressive show with a lucrative IPL contract. The 23-year old was bought up by Sunrisers Hyderabad for a whopping Rs 2.6 crore and he has not looked back since then.
He justified his price tag by picking up 10 wickets in six matches at an average of 21.20 with the best bowling figures of 4 for 32. And the fast-bowler is now reaping the rewards for his consistent showing over the last one year or so.
He has been included in the India A squad for the tour of South Africa starting July 26. India A will play a one-day tri-series involving Australia A and South Africa A followed by two four-day matches against the hosts.
‘Looking to make the opportunity count:’
This is Siraj’s first overseas tour and the Hyderabad star is looking to make the most of it.
“This is a good opportunity for me and I will try to make the most of it. I would like to perform and make it count as I look to play for India in the future. God willing my dream will come true. People at home and my team-mates are very happy that I have been selected for India A,” Siraj told bcci.tv in an interview.
Early days:
Recalling his early days, Siraj, whose father is an auto-rickshaw driver, revealed that he used to play tennis-ball cricket in Hyderabad and had no clue whatsoever about seam and swing.
“I used to play tennis-ball cricket. Before playing in the Ranji Trophy, I didn’t know anything about things like seam or swing. All I knew was to bowl on one spot and that’s what I would do. Now I know other things like reverse swing,” Siraj said.
He credited his coach in the Hyderabad Ranji team for his success.
“I got to learn a lot from Paras sir during the Ranji Trophy. He would tell me to keep bowling in one area, bowl your stock ball to whoever the batsman is and back yourself. The batsman will make a mistake and you will get a wicket,” he said.
Siraj further said that he does not have any idea of the South African wickets and is looking to focus on his strengths irrespective of the format.
“I don’t know how the wickets will be in South Africa. I will go there and see. In one-dayers, I will work on bowling yorkers in death overs and things like that. I will focus on my strengths whether it is a multi-day or a one-day game and do what I have been doing in domestic cricket,” Siraj said.