Male Cricketer
Mohammed Siraj, born on March 13, 1994, is an Indian international cricketer known for his right-arm fast bowling abilities. He represents the Indian national cricket team as well as Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In April 2023, he holds the remarkable World No. 2 rank in the ICC men's ODI bowlers rankings.
Hailing from Hyderabad, Siraj's early life was marked by modest beginnings. His father worked as an auto rickshaw driver while his mother was a housewife.
His domestic cricket journey began with his first-class debut in November 2015 for Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy. He demonstrated his skills in Twenty20 cricket as well, making his debut in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in January 2016. During the 2016–17 Ranji Trophy season, he emerged as the highest wicket-taker for Hyderabad with an impressive record of 41 wickets at an average of 18.92.
Siraj's prowess in domestic cricket earned him opportunities in the Indian Premier League. He was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2017 and later by Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018. His consistency in the 2017–18 Vijay Hazare Trophy was notable, where he secured 23 dismissals in seven matches.
His international debut came in the T20I format against New Zealand in November 2017. Subsequently, he played across formats, making his ODI debut against Australia in January 2019. Notably, he was selected for India's Test squad against Australia in 2020. He made his Test debut in December 2020 and showcased his potential with his maiden Test wicket against Australia.
Siraj's performance in the 2020-2021 series against Australia earned him recognition, including his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket during the fourth Test of the series. His consistent performances in various formats led to his recognition as one of the top-ranked ODI bowlers by ICC.
In January 2023, Siraj played a crucial role in the India vs. New Zealand ODI series, contributing significantly to India's victories. His remarkable performances led to his ascent to the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI bowlers rankings on January 21, 2023.