Following his outstanding performance in the just finished five-match Test series against England, Mohammed Siraj, a fast bowler for India, received a hero's welcome in his birthplace of Hyderabad.
With statistics of 5/104 in the second innings, he took his fifth five-wicket haul of the series and helped India pull victory out of the jaws of loss in the fifth Test at the Oval.
Because of his performance, India won the match by six runs and held England to 367. India was able to tie the series at 2-2 and avoid suffering their third straight series defeat.
The 31-year-old, was seen dressed in stylish black casuals, Siraj was joyfully welcomed by a group of fans. Despite being asked for autographs and photographs, Siraj quickly hopped in a car to head to his home in Hyderabad.
The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) is also planning a felicitation for Siraj for playing a key role in India's triumph.
"We have not spoken to him yet. But we will certainly plan something (felicitation) for him, as he has been in the city for a while now. It's a matter of pride for all of us that he did so well for the country in the series against England," a Hyderabad Cricket Association official told PTI.
Siraj recorded his best-ever match numbers of 9/190, earning him Player of the Match at the Oval. He bowled an incredible 185.3 overs, the most in the five-match series.
With 23 wickets from five games (nine innings) at an average of 32.43 and two five-wicket hauls to his credit, the right-arm speedster also finished as the series' top wicket-taker.
