I owe my career to Virat Kohli: Mohammed Siraj

For a variety of reasons, Team India’s tour to Australia last year will be remembered for a long time. The four-match Test series was filled with narratives of individuals defying the odds despite being battered. However, there was another inspiring story that drew all our attention. On the back of a stellar performance in IPL 2020, Mohammed Siraj was added to the Test squad for the tour Down Under. Prior to the Test series, tragedy struck the pacer as he lost his father due to a lung ailment in Hyderabad. The BCCI gave him the option of flying back to India. But, he decided to stay back to fulfil the dreams of his father. Soon thereafter, he became the 298th player to make his debut for India in Test cricket. 

He played a pivotal role in India’s 2-1 triumph over Australia. In the absence of experienced bowlers, he ensured the team didn’t miss their services. The Hyderabad pacer was the pick of the Indian bowlers, registering 13 wickets at an average of 29.54 in 3 matches. His performance with the ball in the series will be remembered for years to come. He carried the same form in the Test series against England at home. 

Now, Siraj will be keen to emulate his heroics in India’s tour of England. In an exclusive interview with the Times of India, he credited his recent success to Virat Kohli, who has always been a pillar of support for him.

“He (Virat) has supported me through thick and thin. He has always been there for me and in all circumstances. I still remember how I was crying in the hotel room. Virat bhaiya came into my room and hugged me tightly and said, 'I am with you, don't worry,” he was quoted as saying by Times of India. 

Even though Virat played only one Test against Australia, Siraj revealed that he was constantly in contact with him via phone calls and texts. He affirmed that the skipper's words gave him a lot of encouragement during the series. 

“He (Virat) played just one Test on the tour but his messages and calls motivated me. And that's why I could perform. In fact, I didn't have a good season with RCB in the past two years. But he (Virat) was always there to support me. He has backed me a lot," the pacer said.

The 27-year-old also claimed that Kohli has always believed in his abilities and supported him as a strike bowler.

“Virat bhaiya always says - 'tere paas ability hai, tu kar sakta hai, tere paas ability hai kisi bhi wicket pe khelne ka, tu kisi bhi batsman ko out kar sakta hai' (You have the ability, the ability to play on any wicket and get rid of any batsman)," he concluded. 

[Times of India input]