Hyderabad, Oct 7: Mohammed Siraj is one of the top bowlers in the world right now. However, his journey to international cricket was not at all a smooth ride, but a story of grit, perseverance, and unwavering belief.

Hailing from a humble background in Hyderabad, Siraj’s rise to become one of India’s top fast bowlers is nothing short of remarkable.

Growing up, Siraj’s father drove an auto-rickshaw and his mother worked tirelessly to support the family. Cricket was a distant dream. “To be honest, I never dreamt of playing for India,” Siraj admitted during an interview with a national news daily. “We didn’t have money. I used to give whatever I earned from tennis-ball cricket to my parents.”

Also read: When Dhoni’s Timeless Wisdom Shaped Siraj’s Mental Strength

His first breakthrough came at a district-level match at Vijay Anand ground, where the owner of Charminar Cricket Club spotted his raw talent.

Despite financial constraints, Siraj was welcomed into the club with full support. The pacer revealed that when the club owner asked him to join the club, Siraj let him know about his financial problems.  The owner, however, said Siraj not to worry, adding that the club “will provide everything”.

And for Siraj, that was “the turning point”. “I wore spikes for the first time after joining them,” he recalled.

Siraj’s pace began to attract attention. As a net bowler ahead of an IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (now Bengaluru) and Sunrisers Hyderabad, he bowled to Virat Kohli and KL Rahul — impressing then-India bowling coach Bharat Arun.

Though initially left out of the Ranji squad, Arun, now Hyderabad’s coach, sought him out. “He got me into the team, and that year I became the highest wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy,” Siraj said.

His journey is a testament to hard work, divine timing, and family support. “God helped me, I worked hard, and I had my parents’ blessings,” he said.

Today, Siraj stands tall as one of India’s leading pacers, proving that dreams can be forged even in the toughest conditions — with belief, opportunity, and relentless effort.