The renowned Indian fast bowler Mohammad Siraj has received significant responsibility: he has been entrusted to lead the Hyderabad team in the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 tournament. This was announced by the Hyderabad Cricket Association. In addition to becoming the captain, fast bowler Chama Milind will serve as the vice-captain.
The upcoming Ranji Trophy season begins on October 11th, when Hyderabad plays its first match against Tripura. The Hyderabad team is included in Elite Group B, which also includes teams from Surat, Karnataka, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and Tripura. Thus, Siraj faces the task not only of managing the team but also of maintaining his bowling form.
Recently, Mohammad Siraj played for the Indian national team during a tour of Sri Lanka, where a decrease in his bowling speed was observed. Siraj usually bowls at a speed of around 140 kilometers per hour, but during this tour, he repeatedly showed speeds below 130 km/h. In two test matches, he bowled 44 overs and took four wickets.
Siraj later explained the reason for this decline. According to him, playing in the competition after an approximately two-month break negatively affected his rhythm. He emphasized that he is a bowler for whom running and rhythm are extremely important. Disruption in running coordination also affected his speed.
After the trip to Sri Lanka, Mohammad Siraj participated in the दिलीप Trophy 2026-27 final for the Southern region. During the game for the team under Tilak Verma's leadership, his performances showed signs of improvement. Playing in the heat of Chennai, Siraj felt a return of the form in his game that he had been seeking. He noted that everything started to fall into place in Chennai, and along with that, the ball speed naturally increased.
Siraj prioritized his physical fitness and bowling issues. He stated that when a player represents the country, one cannot cite circumstances. In Siraj's opinion, it is a matter of passion, and the athlete must make every possible effort for their country.