Indian cricketer Mohammed Siraj received a warm welcome upon his arrival in Hyderabad on Friday, July 5. The star fast bowler arrived in Hyderabad for the first time since the Indian cricket team's triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024 last month and fans gave him a hero's welcome.
Fans turned out in numbers to welcome Siraj, the only cricketer linked with Hyderabad Cricket Association to feature in India's World Cup-winning squad. Siraj failed to maintain in place in the playing XI for the Super 8 and knockout games but contributed to India's success with two fielding medals and a wicket in three innings.
The 30-year-old Hyderabad-born cricketer wrapped India's tricolour flag around him and appreciated the fans gathered at the airport road.
Siraj has been a regular part of the Indian cricket team for all three formats but struggled to impress in the recent World Cup. Siraj started the tournament with a brilliant one wicket for 13 figures against Ireland but went without a wicket in the next two group-stage games.
After India's camp shifted to the West Indies for the Super 8 round games, the star spinner Kuldeep Yadav replaced the right-arm pacer. Kuldeep's instant make made it difficult for Siraj to find a place back into the playing eleven.
Siraj managed to claim just one wicket in three innings while his pace partners Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh bagged a combined 32 wickets in eight innings each. Kuldeep picked ten wickets in just five innings as Indian bowlers contributed a big time to India's unbeaten run in the tournament.
Siraj also failed to impress in the IPL 2024 with just 15 wickets in 14 innings at an economy rate of 9.18. After 13 T20Is, the speedster has taken just 13 wickets at an average of 30.07 and has been rested from the team for the away T20I series against Zimbabwe starting on July 6.
