'Virat, Rohit and Mahi bhai are like elder brothers to me' - Siddarth Kaul opens up on his bond with India legends [Exclusive]

In an exclusive interview with CricTracker, Siddarth Kaul reflected on his time with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), describing it as a second home where his biggest breakthroughs occurred. He stated that playing at the Under-19 level with the Indian team in the triumphant 2008 season was always an important stepping stone in his career.

Kaul highlighted the crucial guidance he received from senior players such as Ashish Nehra, Trent Boult, and Tom Moody in shaping his skills. Reflecting on his retirement, he emphasized the importance of leaving the game on a high. He also cherished receiving his T20I cap from Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, noting that the Indian dressing room was welcoming and offered mentorship without intimidation.

Excerpts from the interview

You were a key pacer in SRH during your peak—what’s the memory you still replay from your IPL career?

I think the memory of that place makes it feel like my second home. First of all, most of the bigger occasions in my life were connected to that ground. For example, during an Under-19 domestic final, I got the news that I was selected for the Under-19 World Cup. Later, when I was performing well for SRH for two to three years, I also received the call there to play for India. So, I feel that this place has been very lucky for me.

It was also very important in terms of learning the craft. I had the chance to be guided by seniors like Ashish Nehra, Tom Moody, Trent Boult, and many others. Learning from them at that stage was a vital part of my journey.

That famous U-19 World Cup win under Kohli—how much did it shape your identity as a bowler?

It was the early stage of a boy stepping into the cricketing world and getting a bigger chance on a bigger platform like the World Cup, as you mentioned. It always gives you that special feeling of pride, knowing you’re part of the Under-19 team, performing for India, and about to wear the Team India jersey. It’s a truly cherished moment.

Experiences like that give a huge boost to your career, helping you move towards bigger leagues like the IPL or the Ranji Trophy. Playing in the Under-19 World Cup is always a stepping stone to progressing into domestic cricket and, eventually, the IPL.

You said retiring now means walking away at the right moment—what advice would you give to cricketers nearing the end of their career?

There’s no advice that you can really give anyone about retirement, because it’s always a matter of personal choice - when to retire and when not to. What’s important is choosing the right way to bid farewell to the game, to decide when you’ll hang up your boots or your bat for the rest of your life.

For me, I felt I was at the peak of my career, and I didn’t want to leave the game when I was on the decline. I wanted to step away while I was still performing well, still on the higher side. That’s why I felt it was the right time to hang up my boots.

Your T20I cap came under Virat Kohli’s captaincy—what words from him still stay with you?

I think the cap given to me by Virat and Mahi bhai was a truly cherished moment. I’ve known Virat since our Under-17 and Under-19 days, so receiving the cap from him felt like a brotherhood moment. It was really memorable for me. They kept it simple, as it should be when someone is making their debut. They just said, 'Enjoy the moment. Keep doing what you’ve been doing, and give your best in this cricketing journey.' Those words really stayed with me.

How was the feeling of standing in the Indian dressing room for the first time, alongside legends like Dhoni and Rohit?

Honestly speaking, it didn’t feel like an overwhelming moment because I had already been playing in the IPL for two to three years, meeting and talking to these players regularly. When I entered the Indian team dressing room, it felt more like being around brothers who were there to guide and support me.

I felt the same way with Virat, Rohit bhai, and Mahi bhai as I did with my elder brother Uday Kaul. They were like big brothers, always helping me understand how to get better at this level. International cricket is a different arena altogether - it’s not the same as domestic or even IPL. With India, there’s always that extra bit of pressure, but at the same time, it’s also an incredible moment to experience.