Mohammed Siraj will not remember he is currently World's number one ranked ODI fast bowler with 38 wickets in 21 matches with a strike rate of 26.9 before stepping on to Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Friday afternoon against Australia in the first One-Day International (ODI). Rather, he revealed his focus will be on the particular day and his bowling. He is aware of the fact the number one ranking does not exist. He divulged his realization stating, "Statistics is not permanent. Today, I am the number one ranked ODI bowler. Tomorrow my place can slip down. So, my habit is to set the focus on my performance on a particular day. Even, I do not try to assess opposition batsmen." 

While discussing the career of this fast bowler from Hyderabad, it is discussed that Siraj had a meteoric rise. Starting bowling with a cricket ball in 2015, Siraj bagged an IPL contract worth INR 2.6 crore and within a few months after that, the right-arm fast bowler got a call-up in the Indian team for the T-20 international against New Zealand. 

When asked on the issue, Siraj speaking to Parallel Sports recently pointed out again saying, "I have not forgotten I was ruled out of the India team after 2017 for almost two-and-half years. I still remember how I shrugged off the depression and returned to hard work."

Siraj mentioned the year 2018 became his turning point when he was playing for the India-A team. He explained, I met Soham Desai for the first time. He was working as the strength and conditioning coach of the Indian team. Under his guidance, I did not only gain fitness but also developed a lot of psychological aspects like patience, coolness even in crisis, and inner strength." The bowler did not forget to add, "If Bharat Arun's tutelage was my turning point of the career then I must say rigorous training under Desai's guidance became one of the key factors in my transition."

Simultaneously, explaining the improvement of his bowling the cricketer of Royan Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had a great admiration for Virat Kohli as well as former South African fast bowler Del Steyn. Siraj explained, "Kohli was my captain, both in RCB as well as in the Indian team. He is a man who can transpire a huge amount of energy every moment by inspiring and motivating. I was not exceptional. I am indebted to him for his continuous inspiration during the RCB preparatory camp as well as in the India camp also. "

Commenting on the former South African fast bowler's contribution, Siraj stated, "He was the bowling coach of RCB and I learned a lot from him especially, in the development of my out-swinger. Steyn was also a brilliant teacher. He worked hard, guiding me to make out-swinger mature, bring accuracy and variety"