Twitterati welcomes Mohammed Siraj to international cricket

Hyderabad paceman Mohammed Siraj made his international debut for India against New Zealand at Rajkot in the second Twenty 20 International (T20I) on Sunday (November 4). On his very first day in international cricket, he picked up the wicket of New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson for 12. The right-arm fast medium bowler had had a rather outstanding season in Indian Premier League (IPL) where he picked up 10 wickets in six matches. In the first-class cricket, he has 26 wickets in 16 matches in T20.

The cricketer after getting an opportunity to play for Indian national team was seen rubbing his eyes at the time of Indian national anthem. A moment every cricketer cherishes and Siraj failed to keep his emotion in check after getting his debut cap from head coach Ravi Shastri and with that the opportunity to represent India. As the 23-year-old Hyderabadi made his debut, the entire cricket world welcomed him and wished good luck for his career.

Siraj rode in popularity when he fetched a whopping INR 2.6 crore at IPL 2017 auction which was more than 10 times his base price INR 20 lakh. The son of an autorickshaw driver, he impressed one and all with his bowling skills in the Ranji Trophy for Hyderabad.

He caught the imagination of cricket fans when he helped Hyderabad to qualify for the knock out stage after five years by taking 41 wickets in nine matches. His nine-wicket haul against Mumbai also knocked them out of the tournament. In the domestic T20 cricket he picked up nine more and earned a place in the Rest of India and India ‘A’ sides.

He didn’t have a particularly good outing on debut as at the end of his four stipulated overs he conceded 53 runs and took the important wicket of Williamson. On a belter, Colin Munro enjoyed batting against the right-arm pacer and spoiled his party.