'Bhaiya I know other stuff too' - Mohammed Siraj recalls annoying KL Rahul in nets while recounting his successful journey 

Mohammed Siraj (Source: Twitter)

Mohammed Siraj made his international debut in 2017, but it took a while for the Hyderabad pacer to establish himself as a key member of the national team. After performing with the Under-23 team, Siraj hit the big stage when he was selected as a net bowler for the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The 29-year-old has had many ups and downs since then, but he never gave up and is now one of India's top pacers.

With his current success in both the IPL and international cricket, Siraj has earned the nickname "Miyan bhai" from those who mocked him as 'run-machine' when he was at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The right-arm pacer became a prominent figure after India's tour of Australia in 2020-21, where he played a crucial role in Team India's victory on his Test debut.

Since then, he has led the Indian pace bowling attack and continued to dominate irrespective of the format. He has been performing well for RCB for the past two years and is still delivering impressive spells in the ongoing edition. He is currently the leading wicket-taker for his franchise with 16 scalps from 12 matches so far.

Siraj explains his introduction to Ranji Trophy squad

Meanwhile, in a chat with Gaurav Kapoor on his show "Breakfast With Champions," Siraj remembered how he impressed his coach with his performance in nets and earned a call to the Hyderabad's Ranji Trophy squad. He also recounted an incident involving senior India batter KL Rahul when he was a net bowler for SRH.

Siraj said: "I had performed with the Under-23 team. I had played one match in the Ranji Trophy. I had taken a wicket but then I was dropped for the next two matches and I was out of the team.

“Next year it was RCB vs Sunrisers (Hyderabad) and I was a net bowler then. I bowled bouncer after bouncer to KL Rahul, and he got angry. He told me ‘khali bouncer hi aata hain tujhe’ (do you only know how to bowl bouncers). I said ‘Bhaiya I know other stuff too.’

While explaining his introduction to Ranji squad, Siraj said, “Then Bharat Sir become quite impressed. So he went and asked (VVS) Laxman sir, ‘who is this boy?’”

“Next year Arun sir became the coach of Hyderabad for the Ranji Trophy. The selectors were not selecting me for the Ranji Trophy. So Arun sir said, ‘I want this boy in the team. If you listen then only I will join the association, otherwise not.’

“So Arun sir came and picked me and I was the highest wicket-taker that year," he concluded.