New Delhi: Indian cricket team's star fast bowler Mohammad Siraj will now be seen showcasing his leadership skills along with his bowling on the home ground. Siraj has been given the captaincy of the 15-member Hyderabad team for the first two matches of the upcoming Ranji Trophy season. According to a media release from Hyderabad Cricket Association, fast bowler CV Milind has been named the vice-captain, who will lead the team during Siraj's unavailability or absence due to national commitments.
Coordination of national team schedules and domestic tournaments
Mohammed Siraj is currently part of the Indian squad for the three-match ODI series against West Indies. After this, Hyderabad team will start its Ranji campaign against Tripura from October 11.
The team's second match has been scheduled from October 18 against Andhra Pradesh in Vizianagaram. After this, the Indian team's tour of New Zealand will start from October 22, where the T20 International series is to be played first.
The momentum achieved from Duleep Trophy
In recent times, Siraj was seen struggling a bit with his rhythm and pace. In the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, he was not seen in his old form and could bowl only 44 overs in four innings. Siraj himself admitted that it was proving quite challenging to suddenly gain momentum at the international level after a two-month sabbatical. However, long spells in the Duleep Trophy have helped him to a great extent in regaining his old rhythm. This opportunity to do long spells during the captaincy of Hyderabad will help him in improving his form further. Siraj has not played the T20 format for India since February this year, so he will be fully available for the first two Ranji matches.
Balanced team of young and experienced players
In the main team of Hyderabad announced for Ranji Trophy, the responsibility of batting will be on the shoulders of Tanmay Agarwal, M Abhirath Reddy, Rahul Singh and K Hima Teja. Rahul Radesh and Sai Reddy have been included for wicketkeeping. Whereas in the bowling and all-round department, Varun Gaur, Tanay Thiagarajan, Aniket Reddy, Rakshan Reddy, Ajay Dev Gaur, Rutik Yadav Mende and Sai Vikas Reddy have got the place. Apart from the main team, Bhavesh Seth, HK Simha, T Ravi Teja, Shaunak Kulkarni, Mudassar Hussain, Karthikeya Kak and A Prithvi Reddy have been selected as standby players.