India A call-up a big thing for me, says Mohammed Siraj

Earlier today, Mohammed Siraj was named in the India A squad which will tour South Africa next month for a 50-overs tri-series and two four-day matches. The 23-year-old fast bowler, who represented the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, was ecstatic at his selection and said that it was a ‘big thing’ for him.

It has been a year of success for Siraj. Following a decent domestic season, he was picked up by the Sunrisers from the auction for a whopping Rs 2.6 crore. He performed well in the IPL, claiming 10 wickets in just six matches, something that changed his life forever.

Speaking to Sportstar on his selection, Siraj revealed that he was training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) when fellow cricketer Aniket Choudhary broke the news to him. “It is a big thing for me. Initially, I thought the seniors were pulling my leg, but now, it is sinking in slowly,” he was quoted as saying.

“Everything is happening by the grace of God. Without the support of my parents, I would have never come so far. This is a big thing for me,” he said in one breath.

Not his first stint with the A team

However, this is not the first time that he had been selected for the A team. Previously, he was a part of the squad that toured Australia earlier this year. But he didn’t get to play any matches and had to spend his days warming the benches. “I could only observe the things sitting on the bench. There was nothing much I could do then. But now, my aim would be to seal a berth in the playing eleven,” Siraj pointed out.

With things looking brighter for Siraj, he will look to play well in South Africa and catch the selectors’ eyes. Not to get too ahead, but a few impressive performances could see him earn a national team call-up.