Mohammed Siraj doesn't allow his father to drive an auto anymore

One of the iconic rags to riches stories from the recent edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Sunrisers Hyderabad’s find of the season, Mohammed Siraj, who happens to be the son of an auto driver, doesn’t allow his father to drive an auto anymore.

Siraj has been recently selected into the Indian squad for the T20I series against New Zealand as a reward for consistent performances during the ‘A’ tours. However, the turning point in his life arrived after receiving the IPL contract. Since then, he has shouldered all responsibilities for his family and allowed his dad to take rest.

Whatever I am today is primarily because of Ranji performances: Siraj

“I feel proud that at 23, I am good enough to shoulder the responsibility of my family. The day I got an IPL contract, I told my father that I won’t let him work anymore. Usi din se maine father ko bola ki aap abhi rest kaaro (that very day I told Dad that now you can rest). And yes, I have shifted with my family to a new house,” revealed Mohammed Siraj according to TOI.

The fast bowler has been expecting a call up into the national side but did not expect that it would happen so soon.”I knew that sometime in future I will get a call-up but did not expect it this soon. I can’t tell you how happy I am. When I told my parents, they were speechless. It’s a dream come true,” expressed Siraj.

“Whatever I am today is primarily because of Ranji Trophy performance. My 40-odd wickets last season gave me the confidence. There’s nothing like getting wickets in first- class cricket. I was picked for Rest of India after that and because of Ranji Trophy, I got the IPL deal. So 60 per cent credit for this call-up is the performance in first-class cricket,” concluded the Hyderabad pacer.