Siraj in India A team, growing in stature

Hyderabad: Mohammad Siraj is growing in stature. The Hyderabad fast bowler, who played in this year’s IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad, got another big boost to his career when he was selected in the India ‘A’ teams for both one-day and Test matches which will tour South Africa.

The 23-year-old rose into prominence after his stellar show in the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy season when he became the third highest wicket-taker of the country with 41 wickets. He was one of the key figures of Hyderabad’s creditable show where for the first time they qualified to the quarterfinals from Group C after a long gap of period.

Siraj’s exploits in the domestic circuit attracted the IPL franchises this year and he was grabbed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for a whopping Rs 2.6 crore. The fast bowler did not disappoint the franchise and came out successfully even winning a man of the match award once.

Former Hyderabad Test cricketer VVS Laxman, who was the mentor of Sunrisers, praised Siraj. “He is an exciting prospect from Hyderabad.” Australian opener and Sunrisers captain David Warner was also impressed by Siraj’s performance. “He is amazing,” said Warner.

According to Warner, Siraj is a quality bowler, whether with the new ball or death overs. “Siraj has the pace. He has played well and has had good domestic season. He is learning and that is one thing I’m really pleased about,” had said Warner.

Warner



had said Siraj benefited a lot by playing alongside Indian pace bowler Bhuvaneshwar Kumar in the IPL. Bhuvneshwar passed on all his experience to the young Hyderabad fast bowler.

“Having someone like Bhuvaneshwar did help me in a big way. He gave me some valuable tips, particularly while bowling with the old ball,” said Siraj, whose father is an auto driver.

Siraj owes his rise to Hyderabad coach Bharat Arun. The former Indian bowling coach played a big role in shaping him to a more attacking bowler. “He never told me to sacrifice my pace. He never tampered with by bowling action. I could get my yorkers and the in-swingers right. It made me feel good.”

The Hyderabad fast bowler was selected for the Rest of India team for the Irani Trophy match against Gujarat in Mumbai where he caught the eye of Cheteshwara Pujara. He was soon drafted into the India A team against the visiting Australian team.

Former Hyderabad fast bowler P Jyothi Prasad, who spotted this talent, said it is a big break for Siraj. “We are happy that we selected a good talent in Siraj. He is impressive. He has the ability and temperament to bowl in big matches,” said Prasad, who was chairman of the Hyderabad selection committee last season.

Prasad said this tour would be a wonderful opportunity for Siraj. “He can be successful on the hard and seaming wickets of South Africa. It is a very big break for him.”