Mohammed Siraj reacts on Surya Phone calls: Had to go to Spain… reached Mumbai, Mohammed Siraj’s luck changed in 48 hours, said – everything seemed like a dream

New Delhi. Mohammed Siraj revealed that when he got the news of his inclusion in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup in place of Harshit Rana, he felt that captain Suryakumar Yadav was joking with him. Siraj was included in the Indian team a day before the start of the tournament after Rana was out due to injury. After this, BCCI decided to include this experienced pacer in the team to strengthen the fast bowling attack along with Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah. Siraj’s luck changed in the last 48 hours. Everything seemed like a dream to him when he was sitting in the flight to Mumbai. Siraj was preparing to go to Spain at that time. He is a big fan of Real Madrid Football Club and that is why he was going there in his free time.

Bumrah got viral fever just before the match against America in the T20 World Cup. After which the Indian team management had to change its plan. Bumrah’s illness opened the way for Mohammed Siraj. Siraj joined the team on Friday evening and was directly fielded. Playing his first T20 match after July 2024, Siraj bowled brilliantly in the initial overs. In which he bowled full length balls reminiscent of red ball cricket. He took two wickets in the beginning against America and took 3 wickets for 29 runs in four overs. After America’s score became 3 wickets for 13 runs within the fourth over, chasing the target never got completely back on track.

After winning against America by 29 runs, Siraj said, ‘Two days before the match, I got a call from Surya Bhai. He said, ‘Mian, get ready, pack your things and come. I told him, Surya Bhai, don’t joke now. You joke a lot, but not on this kind of thing. He said I am not joking. Pack your things and come. Later I also got a call from Ojha Bhai, he also asked me to be ready. Only then did I realize the reality. Siraj said that when I was on the flight coming here, I felt as if I was dreaming. I was spending time with family.

On the basis of Siraj’s sharp bowling and Suryakumar’s aggressive play with the bat, defending champion India achieved a difficult 29-run victory over America. India’s top order faltered badly in its first match of the tournament. Siraj further said, ‘Playing the World Cup is everyone’s dream. Whatever is the will of God, it happens, but for this one has to work hard. If you work honestly, you will definitely get results from somewhere. You have seen yourself how much hard work goes into it. The Indian team will play the second match against Namibia on 12 February in New Delhi.