Mohammed Siraj's inspiring journey: From Hyderabad streets to India’s pace spearhead
In the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, Siraj was India’s top wicket-taker with 23 wickets. His nine wickets at The Oval, including a five-wicket haul in one innings, helped India win by just 6 runs and avoid a series defeat against England. Explore Siraj’s inspiring journey from the son of an auto-rickshaw driver to India’s premier fast bowler.
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Mohammed Siraj was born in a small house in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. His father was an auto-rickshaw driver and his mother worked as a housewife. Life was hard for him, but his family supported his dream to become a cricketer.
Siraj joined the Charminar Cricket Club, where he bowled with a leather ball for the first time. He had to walk long distances to practice because he couldn’t afford a bus ride. He borrowed shoes and used old cricket gear.
In 2015, he was picked for Hyderabad's U-23 team, and soon the Ranji Trophy squad. In the 2016–17 season, he became Hyderabad’s top bowler with 41 wickets. That performance changed his life for good as he attracted the attention of selectors.
In 2017, Siraj was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 2.6 crore in the IPL. It was a huge moment for him and his family. He went from riding in an auto to flying with a professional team. In the same year, he made his India debut in a T20I against New Zealand.
Siraj's first few matches didn’t go well, but he kept working hard and improving under the guidance of coaches and senior players. He eventually made his ODI and Test debuts for India under the captaincy of Virat Kohli.
During the 2021 tour of Australia, Siraj became India’s lead bowler after senior players got injured. He took a five-wicket haul in Brisbane and helped India win. He dedicated it to his father, who had passed away just before the tour.
Since 2020, Siraj is the player with the most matches played for India, even more than cricketers like Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rohit Sharma. He has solidified his spot on the national side.
The biggest moment in Siraj's career probably came in 2024 when he helped India win the T20 World Cup. Siraj played a key role in India’s successful campaign. From playing tennis ball cricket on the streets to winning the World Cup for India, his journey has been an inspiring one.
Siraj shone the brightest during India’s thrilling six-run victory over England in the final Test at The Oval. On a tense Day 5, Siraj delivered a fiery spell of fast bowling, claiming five wickets in the second innings and finishing with a match haul of nine wickets to prevent England from getting 35 runs. This helped India draw the series 2-2.