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India's Mohammed Siraj celebrates the dismissal of West Indies' Alick Athanaze on the first day of the first Test cricket match between India and West Indies at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has been named the captain of the Hyderabad Ranji Trophy team for the remainder of the season, while top-order bat G Rahul Singh has been named as his deputy. Hyderabad will face Mumbai and Chhattisgarh in their remaining two fixtures of the season at home starting on January 22 and 29 respectively.
Siraj is currently playing in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. He picked up two wickets in the first game at Vadodara and was wicketless in the second game at Rajkot.
Hyderabad is placed fourth in Ranji Trophy Group D with 13 points, giving them an unlikely chance of qualification for the quarter-finals.
Tilak Varma, who was named the skipper of the side ahead of the series, was part of the Indian squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand before getting an abdominal injury.
The Indian Express understands that although Siraj has had no captaincy experience at the professional level previously, he was entrusted with the responsibility due to his red-ball experience and achievements for the country. This might be a trial for him to be made the captain for the next Ranji Trophy season.
Mohammed Siraj in action. (FILE photo)
Siraj has been a crucial member of the Indian red-ball bowling attack in both home and away Tests. The pacer played a crucial role in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy last year, ending up as the leading wicket-taker in the series with 23 wickets. Throughout the series, Siraj led the young pace-attack well in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.
Siraj is yet to play a red-ball game for Hyderabad this season, but he has played in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this season, picking up seven wickets from four games in the side’s run to the super league stage and three wickets from three games in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, in which Hyderabad finished 6th in group B with two wins from seven games.. His last appearance in Ranji Trophy for Hyderabad was in January 2025 against Vidarbha.
Tanishq Vaddi is a Sports Writer with the online team of The Indian Express, based in Hyderabad. He primarily covers cricket and is known for his in-depth analysis and technical reporting on the game. Professional Background Role: He covers a wide range of cricketing action, including international matches (Tests, T20Is), domestic tournaments (Challenger Trophy), and major cricket leagues (IPL, WPL). Education: Tanishq holds a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from MVSR Engineering College and a PG Diploma in English Journalism (Print) from the Asian School of Journalism. Experience: Before joining The Indian Express in late 2022, he gained experience covering the startup ecosystem at YourStory and worked as a copywriter at Story Digital. Key Areas of Coverage Tanishq’s writing often focuses on the technical and psychological aspects of cricket. His notable work includes: Technical Analysis: Explaining bowling actions (e.g., Simon Harmer’s bounce) and batting techniques (e.g., Ben Duckett’s sweep shot). Interviews: He has interviewed prominent figures such as former England player Nick Knight, bowling coach Rajib Datta, and mental health coach Paddy Upton. Statistical Comparisons: Detailed career analysis, such as comparing Shubman Gill’s early career stats with legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. Regional Cricket: Reporting on developments in South Indian cricket, including the appointment of Gary Stead as the head coach for Andhra. Notable Recent Articles "IND vs SA 2nd Test: How did Simon Harmer beat Yashasvi Jaiswal with bounce?" (Nov 2025) "2026 Under-19 World Cup: Bowling coach outlines India's preparation" (Nov 2025) "Nick Knight interview: Joe Root will score big runs in Australia" (Nov 2025) "Gary Stead appointed as head coach for Andhra for the 25/26 season" (Sept 2025) "Jason Gillespie explains what makes Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins so special, and why reverse swing will be key with Kookaburra ball" You can follow his latest reports on the Indian Express website or via his Twitter handle @TanishqVaddi. ... Read More
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