Mohammed Siraj Cricket Career Explained

Mohammed Siraj is one of the most emotionally compelling stories in Indian cricket — a right-arm fast-medium bowler from Hyderabad who made his Test debut in Australia while his father was seriously ill back home, losing him during the series and choosing to stay with the team. Born on 13 March 1994, he is the son of an auto-rickshaw driver and has risen to become one of India's most important pace bowlers.

Test Debut in Australia — The Family Tragedy

Siraj made his Test debut for India in Australia during the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While in the bio-bubble, his father passed away — but Siraj chose to remain with the team rather than fly home, as per his father's wishes. He went on to take a five-wicket haul in that series, and the scenes of him breaking down in tears after the match were some of the most moving in recent cricket history.

ODI Excellence — ICC #1 Ranking

Siraj reached the number one position in ICC ODI bowling rankings — a remarkable achievement for an Indian pace bowler in a format where spinners often dominate on subcontinental pitches. His ability to swing the ball both ways with the new ball and to bowl intelligent yorkers at the death made him India's most reliable ODI pacer.

Bowling Style

Siraj bowls right-arm fast-medium at around 135–142 km/h and is a master of reverse swing with the old ball. His ability to bowl tight lines on off stump and generate movement both ways makes him threatening on any surface. He is also a skilled user of the bouncer as a setup delivery before his yorker.