About

Early Journey

Mohammed Siraj’s cricketing story is one of late blooming and sheer perseverance. Unknown before the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy season, Siraj grabbed the spotlight with a brilliant haul of 41 wickets in nine matches, guiding Hyderabad to the quarterfinals. That season made him the third-highest wicket-taker of the tournament and earned him recognition across the domestic circuit.

Interestingly, Siraj had only taken up serious cricket in 2015, but within a year, his rise was meteoric.

IPL Breakthrough

Siraj’s Ranji success led to his IPL debut. In the 2017 IPL auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad bought him for ₹2.6 crore from a base price of just ₹20 lakh. Though he featured in only six matches, he picked up 10 wickets, impressing with pace and bounce despite being slightly expensive.

The following season, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) identified his potential and signed him for ₹2.6 crore. Under Virat Kohli’s captaincy, Siraj gradually became RCB’s go-to death bowler, picking up crucial wickets. While his early years in the IPL were inconsistent, post-2022 he emerged as one of the most reliable bowlers, even on the batting-friendly pitches of Chinnaswamy.

Ahead of the mega auctions, Bangalore released him, and he was snapped up by Gujarat Titans for ₹12.25 crore, reflecting his growing stature.

Rise in International Cricket

Siraj made his India debut in 2017, but his defining moment came during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Drafted into the side after injuries to senior pacers, Siraj led the attack with maturity, finishing the series as India’s strike bowler and helping the team script a historic 2-1 series win.

Since then, Siraj has grown into a dependable all-format bowler:

• ODIs: Became the No.1 ranked ODI bowler in January 2023.

• Asia Cup 2023 Final: Produced a career-best 6/21 against Sri Lanka, dismantling the hosts and guiding India to the title.

• T20 World Cup 2024: Played all matches in the USA leg before being replaced in the West Indies stage.

• Present Status

  From being an aspiring cricketer in Hyderabad to becoming India’s three-format pace spearhead, Mohammed Siraj’s journey is a story of determination, consistency, and self-belief. Today, he is recognized as a genuine wicket-taker in all conditions, admired for his relentless energy and ability to strike with the new ball.