Mohammed Siraj has seen a lot. Early into the tour of Australia in November 2020, he lost his father but could not come home because of the quarantine norms Down Under. During this difficult period, even his teammates couldn’t be by his side. It was only Nitin Patel, the physio, who was allowed to visit him. The young man in mourning stayed on and had a dream debut in Melbourne. But just when everyone was expected to rally behind him came reports of racial abuse. Yet again Siraj endured and led India to a famous series win at the Gabba.
What will forever remain a perfect picture postcard for India was when Siraj was handed over the Indian flag by his teammates and led the victory parade with thousands of Indian supporters cheering their new-found hero. Since then he has become better and better. Be it in England or at home, he is now India’s go-to man in red-ball cricket. Had he not been injured in the second Test in South Africa, things could well be different. In an interview with
Boria Majumdar, Siraj talks about his career so far, Virat Kohli’s support, RCB retention and more.
Excerpts:
Had you not get injured that evening in South Africa in the second innings of the second Test, do you think things could be different for India?
Absolutely. It was a pitch that was made for me. The kind of movement I was getting, the help from the pitch and the rhythm in which I was in, I was very confident of winning the Test match for India. Even after the injury I tried my best but it was not going to be. It is a regret and something I will have to live with.
South Africa notwithstanding, the last year and a half have been a dream for you. How do you look back? For sure it has been. From losing my dad when I was in Australia and not being able to come back (for the last rites) to getting an opportunity in Melbourne in the Boxing Day Test, I couldn’t have asked for more. It was an opportunity for me to fulfil my dad’s wish and do something for my country. He always wanted me to play for India and win games for my team, and to do so in Test cricket was his dream. That I was able to fulfil his dream is my biggest satisfaction.
It’s one thing is to get an opportunity but to lead the attack at the Gabba, pick a five-for and win a Test match and series for India is a massive achievement.
To be honest, I did not know Jasprit Bumrah wouldn’t be able to play. When I heard that he was injured and couldn’t play, I was like who will lead the bowling for us! There was only Shardul (Thakur), (T) Natarajan and I, and none of us had much experience. But that’s when you feel it’s a great opportunity to do something and get noticed. We remain grateful the team backed us and we were able to deliver.
Then England was even more productive for you. Especially, the Lord’s Test where you took eight wickets and helped India close out the game.
It was a fantastic win for us. At the start of the day we were thinking if we had a lead of 180-200 runs we will put up a strong fight and give it our all. But then Shami and Jasprit had that fantastic partnership and set it up for us. When we went out to bowl Virat bhai told us that in the 60 overs we have to give everything and get England out. Come what may we had to win. And we went in with that mindset and the rest is history.
How was Virat Kohli as captain?
I have said this on many occasions that Virat bhai has had a huge role in my career. He has been a pillar of support. Whatever I have been able to achieve has been because of him. When I played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2018, for example, I had a very poor start. My career could well be over. Virat bhai backed me and his encouragement was just a huge confidence boost. In good or bad, he was with me and always made me feel I could do something special for the team. That I have been able to deliver is largely because of him.
To be retained by RCB must have felt good.
Absolutely. When I think back to my first season with RCB in 2018 and then think that three years down the line the franchise retained me among their top-three players, it is like a dream. They have been great and have reposed faith in me and I will do my best to repay. For the auction it will be the most relaxed day and I will watch on television and enjoy the proceedings.
Now that you have made the limited overs team, have you started thinking about the World Cup in Australia later this year?
To win a World Cup for India is the ultimate dream for any player and I am no different. And if you see the IPL, I have done well in 2021 and there is no reason why I can’t do well for India in international white-ball cricket. I play the sport to win games for India. That’s the only thing that makes a difference to me. That’s what will make my father happy. And when it is the World Cup there can’t be a bigger and better stage.
