Mohammed Siraj played a key role with the ball in India’s 29-run victory over the USA on the opening day of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
The right-arm quick, who joined the squad on Friday (February 6) after Harshit Rana was ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury, returned with figures of 3/29 in four overs. His spell was crucial as the hosts restricted the USA to 132/8 after posting 161/9 on the board.
After the game, Siraj revealed that he had planned to be in Madrid on February 15 to watch his favourite Real Madrid’s game in La Liga. However, a phone call from skipper Suryakumar Yadav changed everything.
“When I was on the flight to here, I felt it was a dream. I thought I wouldn’t be part of the World Cup. I was spending time with family. Suddenly, Surya called and said, ‘Miyan, ready ho ja, bag pack kar le.’ I told him, ‘Mazaak mat karo’ (don’t joke with me). But God is great,” Siraj said in the post-match presser.
Reflecting on his bowling performance, Siraj added: “To play in a World Cup is big. I knew it wasn’t easy to hit against the new ball, and that’s what happened.”
Since Bumrah was feeling slightly under the weather, Siraj was included in the playing XI and he repaid the faith of the team management straightaway.
“First, I didn’t know I would be playing. When the message came in the morning yesterday that I would be playing, I was happy.”
Talking about his original plan, the Hyderabad pacer said: “My plan was to see the Real Madrid game on the 15th. There was Ramzan also. But God’s will—whatever will happen, will happen.”
Speaking of his preparations, Siraj remarked: “I watched video plans after coming at 3 pm. Without proper preparation, you cannot play in a big game. This is a World Cup.”
“Since I’ve been regularly playing, I knew what to do. That was the thought last night also—bowl this line and length,” he further stated.
Coming to the match, the hosts were reeling at 46/4 at the end of the powerplay after being asked to bat first, with Abhishek Sharma (0), Ishan Kishan (20), Tilak Varma (25) and Shivam Dube (0) back in the hut. The scorecard soon turned 77/6 as Rinku Singh (6) and Hardik Pandya (5) failed to make a mark as well.
Amid the collapse, Suryakumar held the one end firmly and found good support from Axar Patel (14) and Arshdeep Singh (4). After completing his half-century off 36 balls, the Indian captain put a pedal on the accelerator. He was particularly severe on Saurabh Netravalkar, hitting the left-arm seamer for two fours and two sixes in the final over to finish with 84 not out off 49 balls.
Thanks to Surya’s knock, the defending champions posted a competitive total of 161/9 on the board.
Commenting on the pitch conditions, Siraj said: “When Ishan was playing, he said it’s a two-paced pitch, and we felt 170 was a good score. That proved to be right.”
He was effusive in praise of Suryakumar Yadav’s valiant effort with the bat. “We were calm because Surya was playing. He knows this pitch, and it was as if he was saying, ‘I am here, don’t worry’. We have had success with this style of play for a long time. That’s what I was thinking in the dressing room—no panic. Everyone was calm. I’m so happy to be part of this dressing room.”
Sharing the experience of bowling to Suryakumar in the nets, Siraj admitted, “It’s tough. He’s instinctive and sees how fields are set and plays accordingly—plays some unplayable shots. The way he remained calm after early wickets, hats off to him. This is not a bilateral series, this is a World Cup.”
India’s next Group A match is scheduled against Namibia on Thursday (February 12) in New Delhi.
