India’s Mohammed Siraj celebrates after taking the wicket of USA Saiteja Mukkamall during the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 cricket match between India and USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil) (PTI02_07_2026_000754B)
TimesofIndia.com in Mumbai: Mohammed Siraj was cooling his heels at home and had February – a month without cricket – planned. First on the list was watching the Real Madrid match on February 15, which would follow the Ramadan celebrations with loved ones. However, the well-laid plans were interrupted when he received a call from India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav.“Surja bhai called me. He said:”Miya, please pack your bag and come” (pack your bags and come). I said:’Surya bhai, mazaak mat karo” (don’t joke because this is not going to happen). He said, I’m telling you the truth – get ready. As soon as he hung up, (Pragyan) Ojha called me. So suddenly I got a shocking news. Nobody can change what God has written. I came (and played) the match… everything was written,” an emotional Siraj told reporters after India’s World T20 win over the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday.
T20 World Cup: ‘God changed my destiny’ – Mohammed Siraj on feelings of happy return
His eyes glistened with tears as he recounted the dramatic past 24 hours. Every word came from the heart and gratitude was written all over it. The sequence of events was difficult to process and reality hit the bowler when he finally boarded the flight to Mumbai on February 6. In a few hours, he was officially joining India’s World Cup squad in a format he had been away from since 2024.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!“It was tough. First, in the last 24 hours, when I was sitting in the flight, it felt like a dream because I never thought I would play in the World Cup,” Siraj said.“Last year it was planned that all the World Cup players would get a chance in the T20. But when I didn’t play in the T20, I understood that I won’t be a part of it this year,” he added.
India’s Mohammed Siraj sends a delivery during the T20 World Cup cricket match between India and the United States in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
As he continued to be a force in Tests and the 50-over format, the T20I opportunity seemed to have passed. The management insisted on Harshit Rana and had their combination ready for a multi-national event in India and Sri Lanka. It was only after Rana’s ill-timed injury that the selectors took a quick look at the right arm and made an SOS call to Siraj. There was communication with India’s strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux about the plans for the next few days, but the two did not know then that they would be in the same dugout within 48 hours.
For players, playing in the World Cup is another dream. So I just bowled the same line and length that I bowled in the Ranji Trophy.
Mohamed Siraj
“I was spending time with my family and the day before I got a message from Adrian asking me about my plans for the next few days. I said don’t message me now – I’m resting because I’m playing two four-day games. I need to rest and then we’ll see the plan,” Siraj said.Jasprit Bumrah’s illness made the selection even sweeter as Siraj came into the field for India in the tournament opener against USA.Siraj, the World Cup and the Wankhede is a setting we have seen before and he was back to his usual breakthrough best with the new ball, striking twice in the opening spell. Another wicket was added in the final over – the last of the innings – allowing him to return with figures of 3/29.
India’s Mohammed Siraj, left, celebrates the wicket of Saitej Mukkamala of the United States during the T20 World Cup cricket match between India and the United States in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
From leading Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy a week ago to opening the attack with Arshdeep Singh in the T20 World Cup, it has been a quick transition for the seasoned batsman. The plans were drawn up late at night and the experience took over as he stood atop his mark. Hardik Pandya, standing in the middle, rushed into the crowd, which roared with chants of “Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Siraj”. The dream has now become a reality for the 31-year-old.“Before, I didn’t know I was going to play. I was just happy to be back in the team. But when I got the news that I was playing, I was more excited. I arrived yesterday and I played the match today, so I was very excited. While I was playing Ranji Trophy as captain, I was thinking about my role and the needs of the team. Even today, I was thinking about my bowling, or how to put aggressive pressure on the defense. It was in my mind and whatever I planned, it was executed,” said Siraj.
When you play in the World Cup, you have to be mentally prepared. I have been playing for India for almost 10 years now, so when you get an opportunity, you know how to prepare
Mohamed Siraj
Emotion has always remained the key word for Siraj, who continues to wear his heart on his sleeve. Whether it was a balmy morning at The Oval on Day 5 of the final India-England Test or a pleasant Saturday evening at the Wankhede, the approach remained the same.“Obviously there are emotions. As a player, playing in the World Cup is a different dream. So I just bowled the same line and length that I bowled in the Ranji Trophy. When we were batting, I felt the new ball was not that easy to hit. So my plan was to stick to the new ball, wicket wicket and wicket and if I could get a wicket I would plan for it and I planned for a lot of wickets. wickets too so I am very happy,” said Siraj.The Cristiano Ronaldo wallpaper he applied to his mobile on the morning of Day 5 of the Oval Test still inspires him. It was an instant mental switch that allowed him to seamlessly transition back to the T20I setup.
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How do you feel about Mohammed Siraj’s return to the T20I format after a long hiatus?
“When you play in a World Cup, you have to be mentally prepared. I’ve been playing for India for almost 10 years now, so when you get a chance, you know how to prepare. If a youngster gets a chance, he has to think about a lot of things. But since I’ve been around the team, I know how to prepare in this format and how to set my mind. Even though I thought I fell asleep yesterday, I thought I stuck the gun that far. And I’ve had the same success even today,” said Siraj.“Believe” with a picture of Ronaldo still staring at him every time he pulls out his phone. However, the footballer’s former club (Real Madrid) will have to wait a little longer to see Siraj in the stands as the bowler is on duty at the T20 World Cup.