There are cricketers who make it because they had every advantage — elite academies, private coaches, the right connections. And then there’s Mohammed Siraj Biography. Born to an auto-rickshaw driver in one of Hyderabad’s modest localities, Siraj didn’t just climb the ladder — he built it rung by rung, on his own, with nothing but raw talent and an almost frightening will to succeed. Today, he’s one of the most dangerous fast bowlers in world cricket. But to understand Mohammed Siraj properly, you have to go back to the beginning.
Who Is Mohammed Siraj?
Mohammed Siraj is an Indian international cricketer who plays as a right-arm fast bowler for the Indian national team. Born on 13 March 1994 in Secunderabad, Telangana, he represents Hyderabad in domestic cricket and the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He’s known for his ability to swing the ball at pace, bowl toe-crushing yorkers, and consistently perform in the most pressure-packed moments of international cricket.
From his Test debut in 2020 to becoming the No. 1 ranked ODI bowler in the world in January 2023, Siraj’s story is one of the most compelling in modern cricket. And what makes it even more special is where it all started.
Early Life and Childhood in Hyderabad
Born in the Streets of Secunderabad
Mohammed Siraj was born on 13 March 1994 in Secunderabad, a twin city of Hyderabad in the Indian state of Telangana. He grew up in the Khaja Nagar area of Masab Tank — a working-class neighbourhood where cricket wasn’t played on manicured grounds but on narrow streets, with whatever was available.
There was no big house, no fancy gear, and definitely no membership at a cricket club. What Siraj did have, though, was hunger. And that hunger would eventually carry him all the way to the MCG, the Gabba, Lord’s, and beyond.
Growing Up in a Family That Dreamed Big on a Small Budget
The Siraj household wasn’t wealthy, but it was filled with warmth. His father Mohammed Ghaus drove an auto-rickshaw for a living. His mother, Shabana Begum, was a homemaker who managed the household with quiet efficiency. His elder brother Mohammed Ismail studied hard and eventually became an engineer.
Money was tight. There were sacrifices made every day — skipped meals, patched shoes, and deferred dreams. But the family never stopped believing in the youngest member’s ability to make something of himself.
In fact, Siraj has admitted he used to drive his mother crazy because he wasn’t interested in books. While his brother excelled academically, young Mohammed was more interested in chasing a ball around. His mother worried. His father, though, silently understood. Ghaus knew something about the fire in his son that others didn’t — and he chose to feed it.
How a Tennis Ball Started It All
Siraj didn’t start bowling with a leather ball. Like millions of kids across India, he started with a tennis ball on the streets. He was 16 when he first picked up bowling seriously, and it was his ability to generate swing and awkward movement even with a tennis ball that first turned heads.
A local cricket enthusiast, Mohammed Kaleem, spotted him playing and was impressed enough to introduce him to a proper club. According to reports, Siraj took five wickets in his very first match with a leather ball — against Balaji Cricket Club in 2014. In the next two matches, he took 15 more. It was clear something special was happening.
He never attended a formal cricket academy. Never had a professional coach during his formative years. Siraj is, by his own admission, almost entirely self-taught. And yet he went on to become India’s most feared opening bowler.
The Man Behind the Bowler — Mohammed Siraj’s Family
His Father Mohammed Ghaus — The Auto-Rickshaw Driver Who Bet Everything on His Son
Every great story has a person who believed before anyone else. For Mohammed Siraj, that person was his father.
Mohammed Ghaus drove his auto-rickshaw through Hyderabad’s chaotic streets day after day, not to get rich, but to give his family a chance. When Siraj was picked up in the IPL auction for INR 2.6 crore in 2017, a moment that flooded the family’s small home with neighbours and celebrations, Ghaus reportedly said that he would continue driving his auto. That was the man’s character. Steady. Grounded. Proud without being flashy.
Ghaus always had one dream: to see his son wear the India jersey. And he got to witness it — though not for long enough.
His Mother Shabana Begum — Quiet Strength, Unwavering Faith
Shabana Begum has been the quiet pillar of the Siraj family. A homemaker who stretched a modest income across a household, she provided the emotional stability that let her son take big risks. When Siraj went through early failures in his international career, when he leaked runs and critics questioned his place in the team, it was his mother’s belief that kept him going.
Today, she’s one of the proudest cricket mothers in India — and rightly so.
His Brother Mohammed Ismail — The Engineer Who Became His Biggest Cheerleader
While Siraj was chasing wickets, his elder brother Mohammed Ismail was building a career in engineering. But when Siraj’s cricket started taking off, Ismail stepped into a supporting role, helping manage his younger brother’s growing commitments and staying close through every high and low of the journey.
Domestic Cricket Career — How He Earned His Place the Hard Way
First-Class Debut and the Ranji Trophy Breakthrough
Siraj made his First-Class debut on 15 November 2015, playing for Hyderabad in the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy under the coaching of Karthik Udupa. His Twenty20 debut came around the same time during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in January 2016.
But it was the following season where everything changed.
The Season That Changed Everything: 41 Wickets in 9 Games
The 2016-17 Ranji Trophy season was Siraj’s coming-out party. He didn’t just perform — he dominated. He ended the season as Hyderabad’s leading wicket-taker, claiming 41 wickets in just 9 matches at an average of 18.92. That’s the kind of numbers that make selectors stop scrolling and pay attention.
The performance earned him selection for the “Rest of India” squad for the Irani Cup, and suddenly Mohammed Siraj was no longer just a promising domestic bowler. He was a name that IPL franchises were circling.
He followed that up with 23 wickets in seven matches in the 2017-18 Vijay Hazare Trophy — topping the charts again. The message was clear: this guy takes wickets everywhere, at every level.
IPL Journey — From SRH to RCB to Gujarat Titans
Sunrisers Hyderabad and the INR 2.6 Crore Moment That Shook Khaja Nagar
At the 2017 IPL auction, Siraj was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 2.6 crore — nearly 13 times his base price. That bid changed the trajectory of his entire family’s life.
He had a strong debut season for SRH, taking 10 wickets from six games. David Warner, his captain, and VVS Laxman, the mentor, were both impressed by his pace and aggression. But the bigger move was still to come.
Seven Years at Royal Challengers Bangalore
Siraj joined Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018 and spent the next seven years there — arguably the most important stretch of his career. Under Virat Kohli’s captaincy and mentorship, Siraj transformed from a promising domestic seamer into a match-winning international bowler.
The 2020 IPL season saw him do something no one had ever done in IPL history: bowl two maiden overs back-to-back in a single match. Against Kolkata Knight Riders, he finished with figures of 4-2-8-3. Stunning.
By 2023, RCB retained him for INR 7 crore. His best IPL season came that year with 19 wickets in 14 matches. He was consistently their go-to powerplay bowler — the man you hand the ball to when you want early wickets, not just containment.
Despite all that, RCB released him ahead of the 2025 mega auction, and Siraj moved on.
The Gujarat Titans Era and a Fresh Chapter
At the IPL 2025 mega auction, Gujarat Titans swooped in and bought Siraj for INR 12.25 crore. It was a significant bet — and Siraj delivered. In his debut season for GT, he took 16 wickets in 15 matches, including a stunning 4/17 — his best IPL figures — against Sunrisers Hyderabad at his home ground in Hyderabad. He even ripped through his former club RCB’s top order at their home ground in a moment that felt almost poetic.
International Career — Making India Proud at the Highest Level
T20I Debut Against New Zealand (2017)
Siraj made his T20I debut for India on 4 November 2017 against New Zealand in Rajkot. It was a proud moment — but not a great one statistically. He leaked runs, and his early international outings were inconsistent. Critics weren’t convinced, and there were real questions about whether he could cut it at the highest level.
But Siraj doesn’t quit. That’s one thing you learn about him quickly.
ODI Debut in Adelaide (2019)
His ODI debut came on 15 January 2019 against Australia at the Adelaide Oval. He didn’t take a wicket in that game, but India won by six wickets. Siraj continued to be in and out of the ODI setup over the next two years, never quite nailing down a consistent spot — until he did.
Test Debut at the MCG — A Day His Father Never Forgot
Siraj made his Test debut on 26 December 2020 — the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He stepped in after Mohammed Shami suffered a wrist fracture and went on to claim crucial wickets. India won that Test, and Siraj’s first Test wicket was none other than Marnus Labuschagne.
What made the debut even more poignant was what had happened just weeks before. More on that in a moment.
The Gabba Test 2021 — The Spell That Made India Believe
Cricket fans who watched India’s historic Test series win in Australia in 2020-21 will never forget the Gabba Test. Australia had not lost at the Gabba in 32 years. India went in with a depleted squad. And Siraj, in just his fourth Test, bowled one of the finest spells of the series.
He took a five-wicket haul in Brisbane, helping India chase down 328 to win the series 2-1. The entire Indian cricketing landscape erupted. For Siraj, it was deeply personal — he was playing this series carrying grief that most people can’t imagine.
The Hardest Night of His Life — Losing His Father During the Australia Tour
On 20 November 2020, barely a week after the Indian team had arrived in Australia, Mohammed Siraj received the most devastating news of his life. His father, Mohammed Ghaus, had passed away in Hyderabad at age 53 due to a lung ailment.
Siraj was in the middle of a 14-day COVID quarantine period and couldn’t return home for the funeral. He couldn’t hold his mother. He couldn’t say goodbye to the man who had sacrificed everything for him.
The BCCI offered him the option to fly home. He declined. He chose to stay and play — to honour his father’s lifelong dream of seeing his son represent India.
“My dad’s wish was always this — mera beta, desh ka naam roshan karna. I will do that for sure,” Siraj said at the time. “I lost the biggest support of my life.”
He went on to play the series, take wickets, and help India win at the Gabba. When he finally returned to Hyderabad, he visited his father’s grave before doing anything else. The man had fulfilled his father’s dream. And it cost him more than most people will ever know.
Racial Abuse at the SCG — How Siraj Stood Tall
During the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2021, a group of Australian spectators racially abused Siraj, calling him a “Brown Dog” and “Big Monkey.” Siraj, rather than ignoring it or walking away, approached the on-field umpire and reported the incident. Six spectators were ejected from the stands.
It was a defining moment. Siraj didn’t retaliate. He didn’t let it break him. He reported it, the game paused, and action was taken. His teammates stood with him. The cricket world took note.
It was a reminder that Siraj doesn’t just battle batters — he stands his ground off the field too.
Becoming the World’s No. 1 ODI Bowler
Asia Cup 2023 Final — 6 Wickets, 21 Runs, and a Nation on Its Feet
On 17 September 2023, Siraj produced one of the most devastating spells in ODI history. In the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka, he tore through the Lankan batting lineup, finishing with figures of 6/21. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 50. India won by 10 wickets.
It was his career-best ODI performance and set a new benchmark — equalling Chaminda Vaas’s record of taking five wickets in 16 balls. On that day, Siraj was simply unstoppable.
Just months earlier, on 21 January 2023, he had reached the summit of the ICC ODI bowler rankings — becoming the No. 1 ODI bowler in the world. The self-taught kid from Khaja Nagar was now the best in the business.
2023 ODI World Cup Role
Siraj was part of India’s dominant bowling attack at the 2023 ODI World Cup alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. He took 14 wickets in the tournament, playing a key role in India’s campaign all the way to the final.
He was also part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squads in both 2024 and 2026, cementing his legacy as a champion across all white-ball formats.
Bowling Style, Speed, and What Makes Siraj So Difficult to Face
Siraj is a right-arm fast-medium bowler with a slightly deceptive run-up — from a distance, it almost looks like a left-arm bowler steaming in, which can throw batters off early. He’s naturally gifted at swinging the ball into right-handed batters, and over the years he’s developed a full repertoire including outswing, cutters, wobble-seam deliveries, and a back-of-the-hand slower ball.
What makes him genuinely dangerous is the combination of pace and movement. He clocked 156 km/h against Australia in an ODI in 2023 — the fastest delivery ever recorded by an Indian bowler in ODIs. That’s terrifying pace combined with movement that batters can’t always read.
He’s also exceptionally good at bowling in the powerplay. His ability to take new-ball wickets consistently is what makes him such a valuable asset for India — and why teams prepare specifically for him.
Career Stats, Records, and Milestones Worth Knowing
Test Cricket: 45+ matches | 139+ wickets | Best figures: 6/15 | Average: ~29.67
ODI Cricket: 50+ matches | 76+ wickets | Best figures: 6/21 | Average: ~25.33
T20 Internationals: 17 matches | 17 wickets | Best: 4/17
Standout Records:
- First IPL bowler to bowl two consecutive maiden overs in a single match
- First Indian bowler to take four wickets in a single over
- Joint fastest bowler to take a six-wicket haul in ODIs (equalling Chaminda Vaas)
- Fastest ball by an Indian bowler in ODIs — 156 km/h
- ICC No. 1 ODI bowler (January 2023)
- Player of the Match in the 2023 Asia Cup final
- Two-time T20 World Cup winner (2024 and 2026)
Mohammed Siraj’s Net Worth, Salary, and the Life He Built
BCCI Contract and IPL Earnings
Siraj holds a Grade A BCCI central contract, earning an annual retainer of INR 5 crore. Over his IPL career — spanning SRH, RCB, and Gujarat Titans — his total IPL earnings have crossed INR 40 crore. His net worth as of 2024 is estimated at around INR 57 crore (approximately $7 million).
He also receives a government salary as an honorary Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Telangana — a title awarded to him in October 2024 following India’s T20 World Cup triumph. The Telangana government additionally gifted him a 600-square-yard residential plot.
Brand Endorsements
Siraj’s commercial profile has grown rapidly since 2021. He endorses brands including My11Circle, Thums Up, CoinSwitchKuber, Be O Man, MyFitness, Crash on the Run, SG Cricket, and Nippon Paint.
The House in Jubilee Hills and the Cars in His Garage
In 2023, Siraj moved into a luxury home worth INR 13 crore in Film Nagar, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad — a long way from the narrow lanes of Khaja Nagar where he grew up. His car collection includes a BMW sedan (bought after the Australia tour), a Mahindra Thar gifted by industrialist Anand Mahindra in recognition of his Gabba heroics, a Toyota Corolla, and a Mercedes-Benz GLS 450.
In July 2025, he also launched his own restaurant, Joharfa, in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad — another step in building a life and a legacy beyond cricket.
Mohammed Siraj Off the Field — Personality, Hobbies, and Faith
Ask anyone who knows Siraj and they’ll tell you the same thing: he’s warm, emotional, and deeply genuine. His nickname in Hyderabad is “Miyaan” — a term of affection — and the tagline “Miyaan Magic” has become a celebration of everything he does on the pitch.
He’s a passionate football fan, which is part of why his tribute to the late Diogo Jota at Lord’s in 2025 — raising a shirt after taking a wicket — resonated so widely. He’s not just a cricket machine. He’s a human being who loves sport in all its forms.
His faith is central to who he is. He comes from a devout Hyderabadi Muslim family and has spoken about the role Islam plays in keeping him grounded through both highs and lows. He frequently credits his late father’s prayers as the invisible hand behind his success.
He’s also active on social media, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of training, celebrations with teammates, and heartfelt moments with his family.
FAQ — Everything Fans Want to Know About Mohammed Siraj
Who is Mohammed Siraj’s wife or girlfriend? As of 2025, Mohammed Siraj has not publicly confirmed any relationship. There were reports in early 2025 suggesting a rumoured connection with actress Mahira Sharma, but her mother firmly denied those reports. Siraj himself has not commented on the matter.
What is Mohammed Siraj’s net worth? Mohammed Siraj’s net worth is estimated at approximately INR 57 crore (around $7 million USD) as of 2024. His income comes from his BCCI Grade A contract, IPL salary with Gujarat Titans, brand endorsements, and his government role as honorary DSP.
Why is Mohammed Siraj called DSP? In October 2024, the Telangana government appointed Siraj as an honorary Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) following India’s victory at the 2024 T20 World Cup. It’s a ceremonial role honouring his achievements, but one he carries with pride.
What is Mohammed Siraj’s fastest bowling speed? Siraj clocked 156 km/h in an ODI against Australia in 2023, making it the fastest delivery ever recorded by an Indian bowler in ODI cricket.
What are Mohammed Siraj’s best bowling figures? His best Test figures are 6/15, recorded against South Africa. His best ODI figures are 6/21, achieved in the 2023 Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka.
Who is Mohammed Siraj’s father? Siraj’s father was Mirza Mohammed Ghaus, an auto-rickshaw driver in Hyderabad who was the biggest supporter of his son’s cricket career. He passed away on 20 November 2020 at age 53 due to a lung ailment, while Siraj was on tour in Australia with the Indian Test squad.
What IPL team does Mohammed Siraj play for? Since IPL 2025, Mohammed Siraj plays for the Gujarat Titans, having been bought for INR 12.25 crore at the mega auction in late 2024. He previously played for Sunrisers Hyderabad (2017) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (2018–2024).
What is Mohammed Siraj’s jersey number? Mohammed Siraj wears jersey number 73 for the Indian cricket team.