Every fast bowler has a run-up that begins long before the first stride. Mohammed Siraj’s began in Hyderabad, took him to his India debut against New Zealand in November 2017, and has now carried him, almost nine years later, to the that country again.
He is now a senior voice, no longer the boy in the brand-new cap. And as if to remind himself of the road, he stopped at the start of it: two Ranji Trophy matches as Hyderabad captain, two emphatic wins over Tripura and Andhra, and a final tune-up at the Gymkhana under the watchful eyes of T. Dilip, the former India fielding coach.
Former Black Caps captain Tim Southee recently said that while the Kiwi batters have studied Jasprit Bumrah extensively, it is Siraj’s unpredictable aggression that will pose a fresh challenge. High praise, and understandably so.
Siraj, for his part, is relishing the prospect of bowling in a country where swing, not just seam, decides the day.
“I am very excited to play in New Zealand, because a fast bowler needs grass and bounce. It will be very challenging because there will be a lot of ball swing. My plan is simple: you have to enjoy,” Siraj told Sportstar.
Dilip, now Mumbai Indians’ fielding coach, said that he nudged Siraj to look back on what he is capable of.
| Photo Credit:
RAMAKRISHNA G
Dilip, now Mumbai Indians’ fielding coach, said that he nudged Siraj to look back on what he is capable of.
| Photo Credit:
RAMAKRISHNA G
If there is one thing he is wary of before a big assignment, it is idleness. His body, he has made clear, does not take kindly to rest, and he is happiest deep in match conditions. So two back-to-back games for Hyderabad, tiring as they were, felt less like a burden than a gift. The workload, he says, has left his rhythm in good shape.
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“My first few sessions were about making him realise that he doesn’t need to do anything different. He has been successful at international level. But when you have a long graph, there will be ups and downs. How you pick yourself up mentally is the first thing because that is more important,” Dilip told this publication.
Dilip, now Mumbai Indians’ fielding coach, said that he nudged Siraj to look back on what he is capable of.
“Siraj is generally someone who can bowl at 140kmph speed. He has the ability to bowl long spells and we all know that he is a fighter where one odd error on the field or one odd bad over doesn’t affect him because he always comes back harder. I just made him realise those aspects which he already has. That quick recap is necessary. We just went through some of his spells from before and videos of a few previous performances to revisit what he’s done and where he was mentally then. Besides that, we made little tweaks in his run-up and adjustments that will help him get back rhythm,” Dilip added.
Ask Siraj about personal goals and he declines the premise. “I’m not a believer in milestones. It’s all about collecting wins and memories as a team,” the 32-year-old says.
The cap might no longer be new, but the hunger is, and that is what Siraj has carried with him to New Zealand.
“I had nothing at the beginning and I have everything now. I have a fan following. I thank the almighty Allah who brought me here and I’m very grateful for that. My only plan and thought is to keep myself grounded. I will keep working hard for my country, I will keep winning matches for my country.”
In the Shaky Isles, where the grass runs green and the ball sings through the air, Siraj has wasted no time in making his mark, scalping four wickets for India A: edges coaxed, stumps shattered and a vigil ended on the cusp of a hundred. If this is the opening spell, India’s ODI and Test campaigns have much to look forward to from a seamer who is hungry to make his mark.
Published on Nov 02, 2026
