Mohammed Siraj hogs limelight with maiden fifer

"Very proud of you, Siraj! Not easy to stay on in Australia after losing your father but I am sure your commitment and passion for the game would make him very proud", tweeted VVS Laxman

Hyderabad: ‘Apna’ Mohammed Siraj was talk of the town as accolades kept pouring in for his sterling show as he captured his first five wicket haul in only his third Test in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia in Brisbane on Monday.

Lavishing praise on India’s new bowling sensation in a tweet was none other than former Indian batting star V V S Laxman who said: “Very proud of you, Siraj! Not easy to stay on in Australia after losing your father but I am sure your commitment and passion for the game would make him very proud. Congrats on your maiden 5-wkt haul. Many more to come. Keep it up.”

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Former Hyderabad opener Abdul Azeem, who was the Hyderabad Ranji coach in 2014-15 when Siraj made it to the team, recalled how the pacer battled odds to make it big. “I’m proud Siraj has become a star with his spectacular performance. He richly deserves all the accolades. It is a wonderful achievement,” he said.

Azeem said Siraj’s late father Mohd Ghouse would often request him to give Siraj an opportunity to play big time cricket. “Siraj would play tennis ball cricket. Despite their tough financial condition, this boy always had a smile and the hunger to perform. I had told him then that unless he stops tennis ball cricket he cannot grow as a cricketer. Luckily he got a breakthrough playing for Charminar Cricket Club,” said Azeem.

Azeem recalled another episode, when Siraj accompanied him to the Gymkhana Ground for a bowling session. “When he ran in to bowl, he slipped as he was wearing rubber-soled shoes. I spoke to Kamlesh Parikh, a cricket enthusiast, who gifted Siraj bowling shoes.”

Siraj began making a mark in the local leagues and his performances too started getting noticed by the Jyothi Prasad-led Ranji selection committee. He was named in the Hyderabad Ranji squad in 2014-15. “As a coach, I used to see his enthusiasm, energy and hunger at the nets. He bowled with a lot of pace,” said Azeem.

HCA vice-president John Manoj said Siraj was fortunate to have Bharat Arun as the Hyderabad Ranji coach in the 2015-16 season. “He benefitted hugely by having Arun as the coach that season. There was no looking back as he took 40 wickets and was the third highest wicket-taker in the league stage that season.”

Former chairman of the national selection committee M S K Prasad was elated with Siraj’s show. “We knew he would be a huge success in red-ball cricket. He was one of the most impressive bowlers in India ‘A’ matches. Rahul Dravid too felt that Siraj should be nurtured for Test cricket.”

Despite being subjected to racial taunts by Aussie supporters, Siraj has shown the cricketing world that he means business and is here to stay. Take a bow, young man!

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