HYDERABAD: Less than a decade ago,
Mohammed Siraj
was just another boy in tattered shoes on Hyderabad's streets, playing tennis ball cricket. Playing at the Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium a few km from home was a dream that could not be realised. Or so it seemed at the time.
On Thursday, the 29-year-old pacer will play his 24th Test, but only his first on home turf when he takes the field against
England
at what is popularly known as Uppal stadium.
For the record, Hyderabad's other legend VVS Laxman, who played most of his first-class matches at the Gymkhana, had to wait for 116 matches before playing a Test at home.
Uppal is where
Siraj
learnt the ropes of first-class cricket, playing here right through his career.
Indian skipper
Rohit Sharma
lauded the pacer for the way he has matured into a world-class cricketer.
Siraj has come up through the ranks and has in the last few years proved himself in various conditions. He's performed really well. And he's taken his game to another level for sure," Rohit said on Wednesday ahead of the Test against England.
Laxman summed up the feeling of playing at home. "It's a special feeling for every kid who grows up wanting to represent his country," the NCA director told TOI from Bloemfontein, where he joined the India U-19 team in their World Cup campaign. "The state association, coaches, family and friends, all help you in your journey to the top. They're the ones willing you to succeed and realise your dreams."
He added that to realise a dream in front of all those who played a role in one reaching one's goal is remarkable. "It becomes a very emotional and sweet moment for them to see someone they supported play in front of their eyes," Laxman added. "Secondly, Siraj played all his first-class matches in Uppal. So, for him it will undoubtedly be a much more sweet and memorable moment to play at home. Especially after the way his career has gone from strength to strength."
Siraj has been in roaring form of late, destroying South Africa with six for 15 in Newlands Test and Sri Lanka with six for 21 in the
Asia Cup
final before the World Cup. The home series against England is likely to be dominated by spinners, but it would be hard to stop Siraj from adding to his tally of 68 Test wickets.
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