India speedster Mohammed Siraj revealed that red ball cricket is his life and he can do anything to play it. After featuring for India in Australia the 30-year-old pacer is all set to make his Ranji comeback for Hyderabad against Vidarbha. Siraj was India's second-highest wicket-taker after Jasprit Bumrah in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Siraj who took a small break after five Test match series missed his spot in India's Champions Trophy squad. He said that representing India in cricket was his biggest motivation.
“Playing for Hyderabad after so many years felt very good. It was great playing with some of my friends," Siraj told Sportstar. “Red-ball cricket is my life and I will do anything to play it. I have always said Test cricket is my everything. When I get the red ball in hand, I enjoy it a lot. I don’t think about my performance too. You can see I bowl long spells. That is because I love this format so much," he added.
The young speedster also backed BCCI's decision where they make it mandatory for national players to feature in domestic cricket during their free time. After India's 1-3 loss in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made it compulsory for Indian cricketers to feature in domestic cricket when they are free.
"When you are free or available as a player, you have to take time out to represent your State. The youngsters in the team will be motivated by your presence. They will get a boost too, sharing dressing rooms with Virat bhai and Rohit bhai. It is a good sign for the new generation," he said.
“As a human being, of course, you need some rest from time to time. But when you have the ball in hand and you are representing your country, you just run in and bowl. Your biggest motivation is playing for the nation. This has been your dream since childhood, so when you get the opportunity, you will want to grab it. I just enjoy the fact that I’m realising my dream of playing for India," he added.
Indian stars including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli who was the part of Australia series featured for their state teams in the Ranji Trophy.