Indian bowler, Mohammed Siraj took six wickets in the final of Asia Cup 2023 against Sri Lanka and here's everything you need to know about the 'Miya Magic' that has made him a star overnight.
Indian Right-arm fast bowler, Mohammed Siraj made his ODI debut on January 15, 2019, against Australia. He had shown great potential, but no one in their wildest dreams thought back in the day that he would become the first Indian bowler to take four wickets in an over in men's internationals. It was on August 17, 2023, when Siraj took six wickets against Sri Lanka in the final of Asia Cup 2023. In just 16 balls, he took six important wickets and gave away just 21 runs.
The way Mohammed Siraj bowled in the final of Asia Cup 2023, he made about his bowling technique to the cricket world. With ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 just around the corner, Mohammed Siraj’s explosive bowling against Sri Lanka has lofted the hopes of Indian cricket fans.
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It will be interesting to see how Mohammed Siraj will perform in the ICC World Cup 2023. No wonder people hope to see his 'Miya Magic' work in the World Cup. For the unversed, 'Miya Magic' is a term used by cricket fanatics for Siraj's exceptional bowling style which indeed looks like magic. But at the moment, we are going to talk about his journey from being raised in a modest family in Hyderabad to becoming one of the most fearsome bowlers in world cricket. Mohammed Siraj has come a long way. So, without further ado, let’s get straight into it!
The Indian cricketer, Mohammed Siraj was born on March 13, 1994, in a modest family in Hyderabad. While his father was an auto-rickshaw driver, his mother was a homemaker.
Right from an early age, Siraj picked up cricket as his hobby and an escape from the harsh realities of life. The youngster used to play cricket in the streets of Hyderabad with his friends but with a tennis ball. From imitating Indian cricket legends to finding his own rhythm with the ball, the streets knew they were part of a hero’s humble beginnings.
Due to financial constraints, Mohammed Siraj was unable to receive formal training in cricket, and all he had learnt about cricket was from watching matches and playing with friends bigger than his age.
However, one day, when Siraj was playing cricket with his friends, some local cricket coaches saw him and recognised the potential the youngster had in him as a fast bowler. They immediately approached him and offered him a chance to be a part of Hyderabad’s local cricket club. Siraj agreed to it within seconds, as it was his golden chance to take a shot at cricket.
In 2015, Mohammed Siraj made his first-class debut for Hyderabad at the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy tournament. The bowler retained his spot in the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy tournament and became the highest wicket-taker for Hyderabad with 41 wickets to his name.
With such an explosive and consistent brilliance in his bowling, he was picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad for the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL). After spending just one season with Hyderabad, he was signed by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2018 IPL auction.
It was a massive moment in Mohammed Siraj’s cricket journey as he was playing for one of the most followed teams in IPL. His bond with Virat Kohli also became a highlight of his career, as Siraj learned a lot of things from him both on and off the pitch.
While on one side, he was getting popular for his bowling and celebrations, Siraj was also making waves in the national team. At a time when the Indian cricket team was lacking a pacer on whom they could rely in tricky situations, Siraj proved the mettle of his bowling abilities.
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When Mohammed Siraj joined Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018, people got to know about the admiration he has in his heart for Virat Kohli. The cricketer used to click tons of selfies with Virat and was always seen by his side during their tours.
We have repeatedly seen Siraj penning heartfelt notes in the caption of his Instagram posts in which he lauded Virat for his leadership skills and batting prowess. Siraj and Virat’s duo is one of the most beautiful friendships in cricket at the moment, as they never skip a chance to pump each other.
Mohammed Siraj is an avid car lover and owns some of the most expensive cars in the world. The cricketer often shares stunning pictures with his four-wheelers on his Instagram handle.
Talking about his car collection it includes a BMW Sedan (Rs. 43 lakhs), Toyota Corolla (Rs. 14 lakhs to Rs. 20 lakhs), and a white Mahindra Thar (a gift from Anand Mahindra for his performance against Australia in 2021).
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Mohammed Siraj is one of the most important players for the Indian cricket team. The bowler has made an impact time and again against numerous teams. If we talk about Siraj’s annual IPL salary, as per multiple reports, he earns Rs. 8 crores per year.
Talking about his contract with BCCI for being a part of the Indian cricket team, his annual salary is Rs. 3 crores. He is currently one of the richest cricketers in India, as he has a net worth of Rs. 41.59 crores. With so many brand endorsements and impressive performances on the field, Siraj will continue to grow financially and as a player.
What are your thoughts on Mohammed Siraj’s journey from playing in the streets of Hyderabad to collapsing Sri Lankan cricket team in the final of the Asia Cup? Let us know.
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