Siraj’s origin story: Overcoming adversity in style, and with kindness
The HinduMohammed Siraj, fondly known as “Miyan,” not only delivers thunderbolts on the field but also inspires dreams among aspiring cricketers. Despite Siraj’s remarkably swift rise as one of Team India’s pace spearheads, life goes on as usual in Mehdipatnam, a neighbourhood in the southwestern part of Hyderabad, where the speedster spent his early years. Mohammed Mahboob Ahmed, Siraj’s first coach, recalls the days spent with the young cricketer. The fact that the matches were played in seamer-friendly conditions also helped.” A chance encounter with former India bowling coach Bharat Arun opened doors to the Hyderabad senior team for Siraj. “Siraj’s strength was his consistent length and if you look at most of his wickets, they are either LBW or bowled or caught-behind - so, the length that he hits is very important and also those lengths allow him to move the ball consistently,” Arun says.