Siraj: 'My intention is to create magic for the team' after Hyderabad's first win as captain

Mohammed Siraj led Hyderabad to their first match win of the season in Hyderabad on Tuesday, securing his first victory as captain.

Ten years ago Siraj was a Ranji Trophy breakout star; in his first full season (2016-17) he finished as the third-highest wicket-taker (41 wickets in nine matches at an average of 18.92). Between that breakout campaign and Tuesday lies an India career, and Siraj said his motivation remains the same: "I still have the same hunger and passion that I had when I made my debut [for Hyderabad]. When I’m replacing someone [in the team], my intention is to create magic for the team," he declared.

He said the red-soil pitch did not hand pacers an easy ride and that hard work made the difference. Thirty wickets fell in total, with spinners claiming 27 and one dismissal a runout; the remaining two wickets were taken by Siraj himself.

The 32-year-old also credited Wasim Jaffer, who was roped in as a mentor to all teams in HCA’s purview, for his role with the squad. "Wasim bhai is always telling batters where and how to score. He made sure we stayed focused. He’s a domestic legend and knows how to play on these wickets."

Siraj described the result in personal terms: "To win our first match of the season and my first match as a captain is an amazing feeling."

"[Getting a bonus point] is a big boost for us and we want to carry this forward," he said, and reiterated that hard work had been decisive on a surface that did not favour fast bowlers.