Mohammad Siraj, son of an auto-rickshaw driver, gained fame after he was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad at the IPL 2017 auction for a whopping Rs 2.6 crore. While IPL got him recognition, Siraj feels that it’s his hard work in the Ranji Trophy during the 2016-17 season for Hyderabad that has resulted in all the success that he has got.
His IPL fame was followed by a call-up to the Indian team. The lanky fast bowler made his India debut in a T20I against New Zealand in 2017. Siraj and his family were living in a small two-room house in Khaja Nagar area of Banjara Hills before constructing a new house in Towli Chowki.
Mohammed Siraj talks about Virat Kohli’s visit
For Hyderabad fast bowler Mohammad Siraj, it was a dream come true when Indian and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli paid a visit to his residence. Siraj recalled the incident when Kohli was coming to Hyderabad and was invited by the pacer to his house.
Upon landing the skipper complained about the stiff back and said that he would not be able to come. However, he still made time for the youngster and visited him with some of the other RCB players, such as Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar.
I asked Virat Kohli Bhai for dinner at my home, he was very gracious & accepted the invitation. The moment we landed, Virat Bhai said he had a stiff back, so they won’t come. I did get a little upset, but he came and I hugged him when I saw him there, that was surreal too,” Siraj told Cricbuzz.
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Bangalore pacer Mohammed Siraj invited the trio to his home in Toli Chowki for a biryani get-together where the players were also treated to other local delicacies including Patthar ka gosht, korma, khoobani ka meetha, and double ka meetha.
Virat Kohli and co. could be seen squatted on the floor and feasting over the famed Hyderabad’s flagship dish in traditional nawabi style. It is understood that they were invited by Siraj at his home after a grueling net session on the eve of the match.
Local media reports stated that Virat Kohli and his colleagues spent nearly two hours at Siraj’s residence before calling the night off and departing for their hotel.
Mohammed Siraj made his Test debut in Australia and has had a great start to his career. He has featured in five Tests and picked up 16 wickets at an average of 28.25. He is currently with the Indian team, which is playing the final of the ICC World Test Championship against New Zealand in Southampton.
Despite an impressive start to his career in Tests, Siraj was not selected for the WTC final XI, with India depending on an extra spinner and the experienced trio of pacers. He will be with the squad for the five-match Test series against England, which starts in August.
