A recent picture of India pacer Mohammed Siraj with Asha Bhosle’s granddaughter Zanai Bhosle went viral on social media. Zanai, a young singer who is famous for her soulful voice, shared a series of pictures on Instagram from her 23rd birthday. Surprisingly, Siraj was with her in one of the pictures. In the particular pic, the duo were seen sharing a laugh. In no time, the photo surfaced on the internet with several fans assuming that the two were dating each other. Before the rumours could become a matter of trouble, Zanai cleared air on the bond of her with Siraj, calling him “Mere pyaare bhai (my dear brother)”. Zanai took to her Instagram story to share her post, metioning Siraj. The pacer also re-mentioned, calling her “behna”.

See it here:

Siraj is currently out of the Indian cricket team after a poor show in the Test series against Australia. He has not been picked for India’s ongoing white-ball series against England and the following Champions trophy.

Former India pacer Irfan Pathan expressed concerns over the lack of a pace-bowling backup in the Champions Trophy-bound squad, suggesting that Siraj could have been included given Jasprit Bumrah’s uncertain fitness.

Notably, Bumrah, who is currently recovering from injury, is subject to availability for the ICC event.

“You need a backup pacer. Siraj could have been a good option. In Dubai, playing four spinners isn’t viable. With Bumrah and Shami returning from injuries, it won’t be easy for them straight away,” he said at a promotional event as quoted by PTI.

“A pacer like Siraj would have filled that gap. That said, we hope the selectors’ choices perform well, and we should back them,” he added.

(With PTI Inputs)

A funny interaction between Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj during India’s first Test vs Bangladesh is going viral on social media. The incident occured on the fifth delivery of the 19th over of Bangladesh’s second innings at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Bumrah bowled a short ball down the leg side to opposition captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who pulled it towards deep backward square leg. Siraj was the player stationed there. He dived to his right and saved crucial runs for his team. As soon as he got up, Siraj gestured that he wasn’t able to see the ball. A smart Bumrah quickly mocked him by gesturing him to wear the sunglasses that the latter was keeping on his hat.

Watch it here:

Jasprit Bumrah reprimanded mohammed Siraj in ind vs ban 1st test match video viral on social media #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/CXRcR11SQz

— rohit kumar (@rohitkumar61604) September 21, 2024

Bumrah asking Siraj to wear specs

Catch drop me Virat ka record mt Tod Dena#indvsbangladesh pic.twitter.com/EjQ531VMi7

— CHIRKUT (@chirkut69) September 21, 2024

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar heaped praise on right-arm seamer Jasprit Bumrah, saying that he is a bowler who doesn’t have any weakness in his bowling.

The Indian spearhead was the highest wicket-taker in the second innings of the first Test between India and Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. He took 4 for 50 in 11 overs, with an economy rate of 4.50. Bumrah got the wickets of Shadman Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed.

“We all know about his variations, his thinking – one of the sharpest thinking fast bowlers. We saw a certain amount of meanness as well in the way he bowled to Taskin. But the one thing that came through today was that he is a bowler without a weakness – whatever the opposition, pitch conditions and that’s actually the best way to judge greatness. You don’t see any weakness at all in this guy. Indian cricket is so fortunate to have him in their side,” Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.

Bumrah completed 400 wickets in international cricket, becoming the 10th bowler from his team to do so on Friday.

(With ANI Inputs)

India pacer Mohammed Siraj arrived in Hyderabad after being a part of the victory parade and felicitation ceremony in Mumbai. Siraj arrived at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport on Friday and fans turned up in numbers to shower their love and support. After arriving in Hyderabad, Siraj told reporters, “We had to wait 11 years for this moment so I am really happy.” India’s 7-run triumph in Barbados over South Africa was their first ICC trophy in 11 years. Before this success, India stood victorious in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 under the leadership of MS Dhoni.

Hero welcome for hometown boy Mohammed Siraj!

The scenes in the streets of Hyderabad are nothing short of magical. pic.twitter.com/3ZkPev4iXr

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) July 5, 2024

Siraj arrived with the rest of the Indian team in New Delhi on Thursday from Barbados. He met Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the rest of the team at his residence in the national capital.

#WATCH | Cricketer Mohammed Siraj arrives in Hyderabad, welcomed by his numerous fans and supporters at the airport pic.twitter.com/5436dqlcKq

— ANI (@ANI) July 5, 2024

After the Indian team left the national capital and arrived in Mumbai, the Rohit Sharma-led team kicked off the open-top bus parade from Marine Drive. Fans turned up in numbers, danced to the tune of India’s success, and celebrated the arrival of the T20 World Cup-winning team.

Throughout the parade, players were seen lifting the coveted trophy high in the air and appreciating the support that the fans showed throughout the tournament.

The love of the fans to see their team was clearly visible when some of them climbed on the tree and cheered for the team as the bus went past them.

Once the victory parade ended and the team arrived at the Wankhede Stadium, the Indian cricket players danced to the tunes of ‘dhol’ with fans cheering for them.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) office bearers presented the T20 World Cup-winning Indian team with a cheque of Rs 125 crores here at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

India’s World Cup-winning players distributed balls to the fans who were present at the stadium. Fans took selfies and asked for autographs from the cricketers as well.