Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has begun his preparations for Hyderabad’s second-round Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha, set to take place in Nagpur from January 30 to February 2. The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) shared a video of Siraj bowling in the nets on Instagram, captioned, “Mohammed Siraj gets into gear for the upcoming #RanjiTrophy match between Hyderabad and Vidarbha!”
Siraj’s return to domestic cricket comes after a commendable performance in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia. The right-arm seamer was India’s second-highest wicket-taker in the series, claiming 20 wickets at an average of 31.15. His best figures of 4/98 underscored his ability to make vital breakthroughs in high-pressure situations.
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Since making his ODI debut against Australia in 2019, Siraj has played 44 matches and taken 71 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 5.18. His most recent ODI appearance was against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2024. With such consistent performances in the international arena, Siraj’s inclusion in Hyderabad’s Ranji squad brings a significant boost to the team.
Siraj’s domestic stint coincides with key announcements for India’s international cricket calendar. On Saturday, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar and skipper Rohit Sharma unveiled the 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 and the ODI series against England. The Champions Trophy will feature eight teams competing in 15 fifty-over matches, played across Pakistan and Dubai.
India’s campaign will kick off on February 20 against Bangladesh, with the highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan scheduled for February 23. India’s final league match will be played against New Zealand on March 2. Notably, the Rohit Sharma-led side will play all their matches in Dubai, avoiding travel to Pakistan.
As Siraj gears up for the Ranji Trophy match, fans and selectors will be keen to see how the pacer transitions seamlessly between domestic and international cricket. With crucial matches ahead, including the Champions Trophy and the England ODI series, Siraj’s form and fitness remain vital for India’s plans. His presence in the Ranji Trophy not only strengthens Hyderabad’s squad but also reinforces the value of domestic cricket for maintaining match readiness.
India squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.
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