Auto driver's son zooms to the top

Hyderabad: Not long ago Mohammed Ghouse was swinging his autorickshaw in and out of Hyderabad streets, ferrying passengers for a living. Now, his son Siraj is in the fast lane.

Named in the Indian squad for the Twenty20 series against New Zealand, the pace bowler’s life has taken an upswing. For one who made his first class debut less than two years ago, Siraj’s stock has risen at rocket speed.

“Making it to the Indian team is massive... I just don’t know what to say,” a stunned Siraj told this newspaper from Shimoga, where he is with the Hyderabad team for a Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka starting on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old learnt of his selection via Whatsapp. “We had just finished fielding practice and I was looking up the group comprising players from Sunrisers Hyderabad (his IPL team). That’s where I learnt of my selection. I was shocked, went blank! A place on the Indian team, my God!”

“All my Hyderabad teammates too were very happy for me. There was much joy around,” Siraj added.

Siraj giggles at the thought that he will be up against his IPL teammate Kane Williamson, who is captain of the New Zealand team.

The IPL indeed made sure Siraj laughed his way to the bank when the Sunrisers paid a whopping Rs 2.6 crore at this year’s auction for the pacer. “I come from humble beginnings and remain a grounded person despite the new-found fame and riches. I thank God for all this,” he says.

Recounting his meteoric rise, Siraj said: “I began playing cricket with a tennis ball and rather lately graduated to the leather ball, with which too I was impressive at the club games. That eventually got me a place on the Hyderabad Under 23 side, for which I performed and climbed up the ladder into the Ranji Trophy team.”

He played only one game in his first Ranji season in 2015-16 but in the next, caught the selectors’ eyes by taking 41 wickets as Hyderabad entered the quarterfinals. A spot in the Rest of India squad for the Irani Trophy and Duleep Trophy followed. Later, he was promoted to the India ‘A’ side and played series against South Africa and New Zealand ‘A’. So far, Siraj has only played 14 first class games and taken 53 wickets that include a five-wicket haul and four instances of 4-fors.

Now, the game has changed. “Whenever I get a chance, I want to give my 100 per cent and cement my spot in the Indian team,” he says.

There must be many who helped him along the way, but Siraj picks out one. “Bharat Arun Sir (Hyderabad’s coach last season and current India bowling coach) has been very, very supportive. I have received a lot of help and guidance from him. He has shaped up a lot of things as far as my bowling is concerned,” he says.

Also, there has been huge help back home. “My parents have supported me so much despite financial constraints. They encouraged me to pursue my passion and here I am.”