Mohammed Siraj's hard work has certainly paid dividends, and the Hyderabad pacer, who is called "Miyan bhai’ by his teammates, has evolved into a leading figure in the national team. He made his first international appearance back in the year 2017, and although it took some time for Siraj to rise, his stature as a fast bowler has since elevated, especially after the India cricket team's tour of Australia in the year 2020–21, where he also made his Test debut.
In a freewheeling chat with Gaurav Kapoor in his show "Breakfast With Champions", the fast bowler narrated an incident involving KL Rahul when he was on the receiving end. The incident took place when Siraj was yet to make his IPL debut and was a net bowler. He was bowling to KL Rahul, who used to play for RCB.
Siraj said, "I had performed with the Under-23 team. I had played one match in the Ranji Trophy. I had taken a wicket, but then I was dropped for the next two matches, and I was out of the team.
"Next year it was RCB vs. Sunrisers, and I was a net bowler then. I bowled bouncer after bouncer to KL Rahul, and he got angry. He told me, "Khali bouncer hi aata hain tujhe’. I said, ‘Bhaiya, I know other stuff too.’
Then Bharat Sir became quite impressed and went to VVS Laxman Sir to ask, "Who is this boy?"
He further added, "Next year, Arun sir became the coach of Hyderabad for the Ranji Trophy. The selectors were not selecting me for the Ranji Trophy. So Arun sir said, ‘I want this boy in the team. If you listen, then only I will join the association; otherwise, I will not. So Arun sir came and picked me, and I was the highest wicket-taker that year."