Mohammed Siraj Appointed Hyderabad Captain for Ranji Trophy

Indian pace sensation Mohammed Siraj has been handed a major leadership role on the domestic circuit, with the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) officially announcing his appointment as captain of the Hyderabad senior men's team for the upcoming 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season. The decision was finalized on Friday during a high-level meeting of the HCA's senior selection committee, alongside the appointment of experienced fast-bowling all-rounder Chama Milind as the team's vice-captain. With the prestigious Ranji Trophy group stage matches scheduled to kick off on October 11, Hyderabad will commence their campaign in an opening fixture against Tripura, looking to make a strong statement under Siraj's leadership.Siraj’s Domestic Journey and Stellar Rise to International ProminenceFor Mohammed Siraj, taking over the reins of the Hyderabad Ranji team marks a full-circle moment in a career that began on these very domestic pitches. Siraj made his first-class debut for Hyderabad during the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy season before capturing national attention in the 2016-17 campaign, where he scalped an astounding 41 wickets to emerge as the team's highest wicket-taker. Now an established international star representing India across all three formats, the 32-year-old pacer brings a wealth of global experience back to domestic cricket. However, given his packed international schedule for Team India, the HCA has wisely planned for contingencies; the official statement confirmed that in Siraj's unavoidable absence due to national duties, vice-captain Chama Milind will seamlessly step in to lead the squad in respective matches.Recent Form and Preparation Ahead of the Domestic SeasonSiraj comes into the domestic leadership role following a rigorous red-ball stint, having recently featured in the Duleep Trophy final for the South Zone, where he bowled 41 overs across both innings and picked up a lone wicket as his side suffered a defeat. Reflecting on his performance after the summit clash, the fiery fast bowler candidly noted that prolonged breaks between international tours tend to disrupt his bowling rhythm and run-up, emphasizing that continuous competitive cricket is vital for maintaining peak physical fitness. As Hyderabad prepares for their opening clash against Tripura in October, leadership and mentorship from seasoned campaigners like Siraj will be instrumental in guiding the younger squad members through a grueling multi-format domestic calendar.