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Time of India
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Mohammed Siraj, India's cricket hero in England Test series, was once told to leave cricket and drive his father's auto
Cricketer Mohammaed Siraj with his family. (Instagram) Mohammed Siraj's performance in England Test series Siraj's Final Strike Redemption Arc: From Dropped Catch to Match-Winner Nine Wickets in the Match In 2019, Mohammed Siraj hit what felt like rock bottom. After a rough IPL season with Royal Challengers Bangalore — seven wickets in nine matches and an economy rate close to 10 — the critics didn't hold back. One particularly brutal match against Kolkata Knight Riders saw him concede 36 runs in just 2.2 overs, including two beamers. It was so bad that captain Virat Kohli had to take him off bowling. The backlash was immediate and told him to quit cricket. Some even said he should go back to driving an auto with his father — a reference to his modest beginnings. Siraj admitted on the RCB Podcast that those words cut deep, as people didn't see the struggle behind his journey. Fast forward to today, and that same Siraj just delivered one of the most dramatic performances in recent Indian Test cricket a contest defined by relentless pressure, dramatic shifts, and sheer willpower, it was Mohammed Siraj who emerged as India's saviour on the final day of the fifth Test at The Oval. As England stood at the cusp of victory, needing just 35 runs with four wickets in hand, Siraj orchestrated one of the most stirring turnarounds in recent Test history, delivering a sensational five-wicket haul and leading India to a thrilling six-run win. From his very first over on Day 5, he bowled with the kind of discipline and intensity that instantly changed the mood at The in from the Pavilion End, Siraj wasted no time in making an impact. The ball was old, the conditions weren't overtly helpful, but Siraj's seam presentation and unwavering control brought it alive. It wasn't just about pace; it was about relentless precision. His very first scalp of the morning, Jamie Smith, edged a delivery that seamed away sharply, giving India the breakthrough they desperately needed. The celebrations weren't just about a wicket; they were about a belief wicket triggered a cascading collapse. In his next over, Siraj dismissed Jamie Overton with a cleverly disguised delivery that jagged back into the batter. Overton reviewed the LBW call, but replays showed the ball was clipping the stumps — enough for the on-field call to stand. England's equation was now down to 20 runs with just two wickets in Siraj hunted from one end, Prasidh Krishna provided crucial support from the other. His dismissal of Josh Tongue — bowled through the gate with a thundering yorker — brought India one step closer. England, at 354/9, now needed just 13 runs. Siraj, having already taken two in the session, was entrusted with the ball for a final spell. What followed was theatre at its Woakes, battling a dislocated shoulder, courageously walked out to bat, echoing the spirit of Colin Cowdrey from 1963. Woakes couldn't offer much more than moral support, and it was clear that Gus Atkinson would have to finish the job for England. Atkinson took the fight to India, slicing the deficit down to single digits. A mistimed aerial hit even saw Akash Deep nearly pouch the winning moment, only for the ball to slip over the the drama wasn't over. With England needing just 6, Siraj held his nerve. He bowled wide yorkers, tested Atkinson's patience, and eventually produced a searing delivery that crashed into the off-stump, sealing an Indian victory that will be remembered for decades. The roar at The Oval was deafening. Siraj had done made this performance even more special was the arc of redemption that ran through it. Earlier in the match, Siraj had dropped a crucial catch of Harry Brook at the boundary — a moment many believed had turned the tide in England's favour. Brook went on to score a blistering 92, nearly taking the game Siraj didn't let that moment define him. Instead, he came back harder, with a singular focus on rectifying the slip. His ability to channel that moment into fuel, rather than frustration, speaks volumes about his evolution as a cricketer. This wasn't just about wickets; it was about match figures — nine wickets across both innings — underline just how central he was to India's success. In the first innings too, it was his sharp burst that helped break England's middle-order resistance. His ability to pick wickets in clusters, especially with an old ball, has made him a prized asset in the Indian pace this performance, Siraj didn't just win a game — he helped India square a series that was teetering on the edge. He also emerged as the highest wicket-taker of the series with 23 scalps in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy ended 2-2, a fair reflection of a hard-fought contest, but it could so easily have gone England's way if not for Siraj's magic.
Economic Times
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Economic Times
Mohammed Siraj, India's cricket hero in England Test series, was once told to leave cricket and drive his father's auto
Mohammed Siraj delivered a sensational five-wicket haul and lead India to a thrilling six-run win. (Agencies/Instagram) Synopsis Mohammed Siraj, once facing harsh criticism and calls to quit, orchestrated a stunning turnaround in the fifth Test at The Oval. His sensational five-wicket haul led India to a thrilling six-run victory against England. Siraj's resilience, highlighted by his nine wickets in the match and redemption from a dropped catch, secured India's series square. In 2019, Mohammed Siraj hit what felt like rock bottom. After a rough IPL season with Royal Challengers Bangalore — seven wickets in nine matches and an economy rate close to 10 — the critics didn't hold back. One particularly brutal match against Kolkata Knight Riders saw him concede 36 runs in just 2.2 overs, including two beamers. It was so bad that captain Virat Kohli had to take him off bowling. The backlash was immediate and merciless. ADVERTISEMENT People told him to quit cricket. Some even said he should go back to driving an auto with his father — a reference to his modest beginnings. Siraj admitted on the RCB Podcast that those words cut deep, as people didn't see the struggle behind his journey. Fast forward to today, and that same Siraj just delivered one of the most dramatic performances in recent Indian Test cricket history. Cricketer Mohammaed Siraj with his family. (Instagram) In a contest defined by relentless pressure, dramatic shifts, and sheer willpower, it was Mohammed Siraj who emerged as India's saviour on the final day of the fifth Test at The Oval. As England stood at the cusp of victory, needing just 35 runs with four wickets in hand, Siraj orchestrated one of the most stirring turnarounds in recent Test history, delivering a sensational five-wicket haul and leading India to a thrilling six-run win. From his very first over on Day 5, he bowled with the kind of discipline and intensity that instantly changed the mood at The in from the Pavilion End, Siraj wasted no time in making an impact. The ball was old, the conditions weren't overtly helpful, but Siraj's seam presentation and unwavering control brought it alive. It wasn't just about pace; it was about relentless precision. His very first scalp of the morning, Jamie Smith, edged a delivery that seamed away sharply, giving India the breakthrough they desperately needed. The celebrations weren't just about a wicket; they were about a belief wicket triggered a cascading collapse. In his next over, Siraj dismissed Jamie Overton with a cleverly disguised delivery that jagged back into the batter. Overton reviewed the LBW call, but replays showed the ball was clipping the stumps — enough for the on-field call to stand. England's equation was now down to 20 runs with just two wickets in hand. ADVERTISEMENT While Siraj hunted from one end, Prasidh Krishna provided crucial support from the other. His dismissal of Josh Tongue — bowled through the gate with a thundering yorker — brought India one step closer. England, at 354/9, now needed just 13 runs. Siraj, having already taken two in the session, was entrusted with the ball for a final spell. What followed was theatre at its Woakes, battling a dislocated shoulder, courageously walked out to bat, echoing the spirit of Colin Cowdrey from 1963. Woakes couldn't offer much more than moral support, and it was clear that Gus Atkinson would have to finish the job for England. Atkinson took the fight to India, slicing the deficit down to single digits. A mistimed aerial hit even saw Akash Deep nearly pouch the winning moment, only for the ball to slip over the ropes. ADVERTISEMENT But the drama wasn't over. With England needing just 6, Siraj held his nerve. He bowled wide yorkers, tested Atkinson's patience, and eventually produced a searing delivery that crashed into the off-stump, sealing an Indian victory that will be remembered for decades. The roar at The Oval was deafening. Siraj had done made this performance even more special was the arc of redemption that ran through it. Earlier in the match, Siraj had dropped a crucial catch of Harry Brook at the boundary — a moment many believed had turned the tide in England's favour. Brook went on to score a blistering 92, nearly taking the game away. ADVERTISEMENT But Siraj didn't let that moment define him. Instead, he came back harder, with a singular focus on rectifying the slip. His ability to channel that moment into fuel, rather than frustration, speaks volumes about his evolution as a cricketer. This wasn't just about wickets; it was about match figures — nine wickets across both innings — underline just how central he was to India's success. In the first innings too, it was his sharp burst that helped break England's middle-order resistance. His ability to pick wickets in clusters, especially with an old ball, has made him a prized asset in the Indian pace unit. With this performance, Siraj didn't just win a game — he helped India square a series that was teetering on the edge. He also emerged as the highest wicket-taker of the series with 23 scalps in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy ended 2-2, a fair reflection of a hard-fought contest, but it could so easily have gone England's way if not for Siraj's magic. (Catch all the Budget 2024 News, Budget 2024 Live Coverage Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) NEXT STORY Business News › Magazines › Panache › Mohammed Siraj, India's cricket hero in England Test series, was once told to leave cricket and drive his father's auto
India.com
19-05-2025
- Sport
- India.com
‘Being honest, I didn't…': THIS is the reason why Rajat Patidar was upset with RCB, Video goes viral
'Being honest, I didn't…': THIS is the reason why Rajat Patidar was upset with RCB, Video goes viral New Delhi: Rajat Patidar, who is leading Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), was very disappointed about the 2022 season when the franchise ignored him in the players' auction despite assurances. Patidar, who joined the team as a replacement for an injured player, said that he was 'sad' and 'angry' then. Patidar also admitted that he was feeling pressure due to being handed over the captaincy by Virat Kohli ahead of IPL 2025, but the words of support from the legendary player put him at ease. Patidar has been one of the main players of RCB's middle order this season. He has scored 239 runs in 11 matches. His goal is to give the team its first IPL title. Patidar said on the 'RCB Podcast', 'I got a message (before the mega auction for IPL 2022) that you should be ready … we will pick you. I had a little hope that I would get another chance (to play for RCB). But I was ignored in the mega auction. I was a little sad about it.' The 31-year-old batsman from Madhya Pradesh, however, got a chance to return to RCB after a player from his state got injured. Patidar, however, was not keen to return to Bangalore as he knew that he would hardly get a chance to play in a team full of big players. He said, 'I started playing my local matches in Indore (after not being selected in the auction). I then got a call saying 'we are selecting you in place of Lavnith Sisodia'.' Sisodia was out of the team that season due to injury. Patidar said, 'To be honest, I did not want to come as a replacement for any player because I felt that I would not get a chance to play there. I always feel that I don't want to sit there (in the dugout).' Patidar, who played a key role in Madhya Pradesh reaching the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2024-25 as captain, said, 'I was angry for a while but then I became normal.' Patidar said that after getting the captaincy from a great player like Kohli, he was feeling the pressure but the encouraging words of this star batsman filled him with confidence. He said, 'I had many questions in my mind, like there are many big players in the team. Kohli's status is very big, how can I ask him to do something? However, I got his full support in this matter.' Patidar said that getting the command of RCB is one of the most memorable days for him and when Kohli handed over this responsibility to him, he became very emotional. He said, 'I have seen Kohli playing on television for a long time. Then I got a chance to play with him in IPL and Indian team and when I got the responsibility of captaincy from him, I got a little worried and emotional. 'He further said, 'Kohli told me that I deserve it and I have earned it. This boosted my morale a lot. ' . What's changed in Rajat's life ever since he became captain of RCB? How's the journey been so far? Find out… Rajat's full episode of @bigbasket_com presents RCB Podcast is now available on… — Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 16, 2025 Before the IPL was postponed, Patidar had a finger injury, due to which there was doubt about his playing, but now he has come to the field for practice. RCB is performing brilliantly under the leadership of Patidar this season. Winning 8 out of 11 matches, it is at the second position in the points table. Close to the playoffs, RCB will take on KKR on May 17 in the first match of the restarted IPL 2025. This match will be played from 7.30 pm.
Hans India
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Patidar recalls moment Kohli handed him RCB captaincy
New Delhi: Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar reflected on the surreal moment when Virat Kohli handed him the franchise's captaincy ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 and said he didn't know how to react to the situation then Kohli calmed him down, saying 'you deserve it, you earned it'. Speaking on the RCB Podcast, the 31-year-old Patidar reflected on his journey from being rejected at the 2022 IPL mega auction despite prior assurance from the RCB management, to becoming the leader of a franchise still chasing its elusive maiden IPL title. Back in 2022, Patidar was quietly confident that he'd be picked at the mega auction. 'I had got a message (ahead of the mega auction for IPL 2022) that you be ready... that we will pick you. I had a little hope that I will get another chance (to play for RCB). But I wasn't picked in the mega auction. I was a little sad,' said Patidar on an RCB Podcast. 'I (had) started playing in my local matches in Indore (after not getting picked in the auction). Then, I got a call that 'we are picking you as a replacement for Luvnith Sisodia', who was injured. To tell you frankly, I didn't want to come as a replacement because I knew that I wouldn't get a chance to play there, and I always feel that I don't want to sit there (in the dugout). I wasn't angry. It was like, if they didn't pick me (during the auction), then I won't get it (get to play). I was angry for a while, but then I was normal,' said Patidar.
India Gazette
16-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
"It is very special...": RCB skipper Patidar on getting captaincy plaque from Virat Kohli
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], May 16 (ANI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar recalled receiving the captaincy plaque from star batter Virat Kohli during the RCB Unbox event ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, saying that the moment will always be 'special' for him. Patidar was speaking on the latest episode of the RCB Podcast. Patidar said that after replacing Faf Du Plessis as captain, his father called him, and people congratulated him. 'Until then I was normal, I didn't feel much. My personality is such that I do not express much. I take everything in a normal way. But when I started noticing the things around me, I felt it was a big role and it is not easy to get it,' Patidar said, according to a press note from the franchise. Patidar said he has always looked up to Viral. 'I always consider him my idol in terms of batting. Whenever he bats, I watch his batting and I learn from him. So, I feel that was a special moment, when he he said about me, the way he introduced me to so many fans. It's very special for me. It always will be,' he said. '...how supportive he is, it's an opportunity for me. I am playing and leading the team, and he is with me, so I should learn from him. No one has the experience and ideas he has, in any role, whether it is batting, as an individual, and as a captain. So I feel it is a good opportunity to learn from him,' he added. During the remaining season, Patidar will be aiming to overcome a lean run of form since the last three to four games. In 11 games and 10 innings, he has scored 239 runs at an average of 23.90, with a strike rate of 140.58. He has scored two half-centuries, with the best score of 64. RCB is at the second spot with eight wins and three losses. They will play their next match against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Bengaluru on Saturday, which will mark the resumption of the tournament. (ANI)
