Mohammed Siraj gives up on his favourite dish 'Biryani' to get fitter and to gain pace

Hyderabad fast bowler Mohammed Siraj had taken everyone’s attention with his ability to bowl at pace and swing the ball as well. He has played for India in one ODI and three T20I matches, but the returns have been not so encouraging and hence he has fallen down the pecking order when it comes to reserve fast bowlers as Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini and Shardul Thakur have been preferred with Mohammed Shami being given a chance as well.

Siraj however, has been doing well in the domestic cricket and though criticized by the fans, has done his job well in the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise in IPL as well. He was retained by his team ahead of the upcoming auction in a sign of confidence from the new management under Mike Hesson. However, Siraj is aiming to return to the Men in Blue side given that there are still spots open for fast bowlers with the target being the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia and he has already given up something all Hyderabadis like.

If you want to represent your country, you have to quit a few things: Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj hails from the city of good and rich food, Hyderabad which is famous for his sumptuous Biryani of various kinds. The rice and meat dish is world-famous from the city and Siraj has even hosted the Indian team at his home and treated them with homemade Biryani. However, in order to get fitter and making a comeback into the team, he has given up on his favourite dish.

“I have stopped eating biryani. It has become a cheat meal for me now. It’s impossible to stay off it completely, but to be frank I have controlled my indulgences. I have also given up on all spicy stuff. To be honest, if you want to represent your country, you have to quit a few things,” Siraj was quoted as saying by Times of India.

If he wants to have a role model in fitness, he should look no further than his RCB and India captain Virat Kohli, who has set a new bar in fitness and Siraj wants to emulate the leader who has inspired the whole team to reach new levels of health.

“We all know about the fitness regime of Virat bhai, but the way Shami bhai has made a comeback, it is remarkable. He has become so lean and quick. I have learnt that I need to stay fit to bowl with pace and skill. I know how important it is to have clarity on what I need to do,” he added.

Talking about his current form, Siraj was happy with what he was doing for India A and wanted to grab any chance that comes his way in the upcoming domestic season. He aims to win more games for Hyderabad and work harder to reach the next level in his bowling and fitness as well. He also wants to become more consistent to push for a spot in the team.

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