From being the son of an autorickshaw driver to everyone’s favourite DSP, Mohammed Siraj’s journey has been nothing less than commendable, powered by his grit and determination. 

Siraj began playing tennis-ball cricket and the leather ball for the first time at the age of 19, in 2015. It took him only two years to secure his maiden IPL contract, worth INR 2.6 crore, with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2017. And just after a few months, he was donning the Indian jersey and bowing in his debut T20I against New Zealand. 

Mohammed Siraj’s Early Career

After playing in a U-23 tournament, the fast bowler, Mohammed Siraj, was included in Hyderabad's senior team in 2015-16. However, he couldn’t play a single game in his debut season. In 2016, he was a net bowler for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and assistant coach Bharat Arun saw his ability and helped him work on his raw pace. 

In 2016-17, Arun was made Hyderabad’s coach, and Siraj got another opportunity to polish his skills under Arun's guidance, whom he already met in the RCB camp. The pacer scalped an impressive 41 wickets in nine matches. He attributed his success to coach Arun by calling him an ‘Angel’. 

Mohammed Siraj’s IPL Career

After his success in the domestic circuit, Mohammed Siraj bagged an IPL contract of a massive INR 2.6 crore with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2017 season. He played his first game against the Delhi Capitals and ended the season with 10 wickets from six outings. 

Siraj became the highest wicket-taker (23) in the 2017-18 Vijay Hazare Trophy and then was purchased by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for INR 2.20 crores at the 2018 IPL auction. He played 11 games for RCB and took 11 wickets. 

Siraj had an ordinary tournament during the 2019 IPL season, taking just 7 wickets in 10 matches and leaking runs at an economy of around 10. 

In the 2020 IPL 2020, Siraj grabbed 11 wickets in nine matches and was retained by the Bangalore-based franchise for the subsequent edition. After being RCB’s premier pace bowler for a long time, his best came in 2023 when he took 19 wickets in 14 games. However, ahead of the 2025 mega auction, RCB released the pacer, who was later signed by the Gujarat Titans for INR 12.25 crore. 

Mohammed Siraj T20I Career

After showing immense potential at the domestic level, the Hyderabad pacer, Mohammed Siraj, made his T20I debut for India against New Zealand on November 4, 2017, in Rajkot. In his maiden international match, Siraj finished with figures of 1-53 in his four overs, taking the wicket of veteran Kane Williamson. 

He was later added to India’s squad for the 2018 Nidahas Trophy. Siraj was also a part of India’s 2024 ICC T20 World Cup-winning squad. 

It is important to note that Mohammed Siraj was not originally included in India’s team for the 2026 T20 World Cup. However, came in as Harshit Rana’s replacement, who had been ruled out due to a knee injury. 

Mohammed Siraj ODI Career

Mohammed Siraj made his ODI debut for India against Australia on January 15, 2019, but he went wicketless. Fast forward to January 2023, Siraj acquired the No.1 ODI Bowler in the ICC Rankings, after playing an all-important role in India’s 3-0 series win over New Zealand, picking a fifer in the first game of the series. 

Later in the same year, Siraj was named in India’s squad for the 2023 Asia Cup. Notably, in the final of the continental tournament, Siraj picked 6 for 21, bundling Sri Lanka for 50 runs. In the pursuit, Siraj became the first Indian to take 4 wickets in one over, and achieved the best ODI figures against the Lankans. 

On top of that, Siraj’s performance during the 2023 World Cup was noteworthy; he took 14 wickets across 11 matches, with his best bowling figures being 3/16. It is worthy to note that the Hyderabad-born played a crucial role in complementing the pace attack alongside senior bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami. India might not have won the title, but the tournament helped Siraj enhance his stature as a mainstay in the Indian Cricket Team. 

Mohammed Siraj Test Career

The fast bowler was called up as a net bowler for the Test series against Australia, and it became a series to remember for him. But ahead of the Test series, Siraj lost his father and decided to stay with the team to achieve his father’s dream of him playing Test cricket. The pacer made his Test debut on December 26, 2020, against Australia at the iconic MCG. 

Siraj took his maiden fifer at The Gabba and played a big role in India’s second consecutive series victory Down Under (the first came during the 2018-19 season). 

On January 18, 2021, Siraj took his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests, picking up 5/73 on Day 4 of the 4th Test against Australia at The Gabba. 

Moreover, Siraj’s rise continued post the 2023 World Cup. In a Test between India and South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town, he claimed his best Test figures of 6/15 (in an innings).

Interestingly, in December 2024, during the second Test against Australia, a technical glitch displayed Sirah bowling a jaw-dropping 181.6 kmph thunderbolt.

(As of February 2026)