March 13th of this year marks the 32nd birthday of Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj 

One of the finest pacers India has ever produced, today marks the 32nd birthday of the Secunderabad bowler who has made a name for himself at the international cricket stage due to his brilliant wicket-taking capabilities. Fondly called Miya Magic or even DSP Siraj, given he is an honorary Deputy Superintendent of Police in Hyderabad, it is unfortunate that despite his talent, at times, he is overlooked by the BCCI for various reasons, ranging from tactical decisions to even his form.

Therefore, on his birthday, we take a look at those times when Siraj was rejected by the BCCI, but he received a call later and went on to prove his worth.

Australia 2020

Siraj strikes an important wicket of Steve Smith

Australia 103/5pic.twitter.com/CCmQl55M5H

— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) November 25, 2024

Having made his international T20I debut in 2017 and ODI debut in 2019, Siraj was not given the chance to break into the Test earlier. Finally, for the Australia series 2020/21, Siraj made the squad but warmed the bench in two games until Md. Shami got injured and Siraj finally got his opportunity to rest three. Siraj grabbed all headlines with 13 wickets in three Tests, including a fifer in Brisbane, emulating Lasith Malinga by taking five wickets on his debut in a Boxing Day Test.

Snubbed in March, 23 wickets in June

Most wickets for India in a Test series in England

23 - Jasprit Bumrah, 2021-22
23 - Mohammed Siraj, 2025
19 - Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 2014

pic.twitter.com/Cxm0TuIUSd

— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) August 4, 2025

Md. Siraj was undoubtedly hurt when, despite performing well, he was snubbed for the ICC Champions Trophy even though Jasprit Bumrah was injured. Three months later in June, when Siraj visited England for the five-match Test series, he once again proved his worth, picking 23 wickets in five matches. In fact, in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, he stands second with 39 wickets.

Asia Cup snub

SIRAJ GETS THE 3RD WICKET OF USA. WHAT A DREAM MATCH HE'S HAVING AT WANKHEDE. pic.twitter.com/OuhwQhUAoh

— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) February 7, 2026

Since 2024, Siraj had not played a T20, and therefore, it was no surprise that he was snubbed from the Asia Cup 2025. The remainder of 2025 after the tourney saw Siraj grabbing more Test wickets but limited success in ODIs and no appearances in T20Is. In January 2026, he played the ODI series against the Black Caps and picked three wickets in three matches. Siraj was also kept away from the T20 World Cup squad, but when Harshit Rana went home, he joined the team and grabbed an opportunity against the USA, picking three T20I wickets. However, once again, he warmed the bench throughout the tournament.

Siraj’s funny jibe

Recently, after India’s T20 World Cup, a presenter asked Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav about how frustrating it was to stay on the sidelines. A cheeky Siraj made a humorous jibe, stating, "Haa, bahut hi bada role hai hum dono ka, bahar baithke pani pilana back-to-back, bat uthana. (Yes, we played a major role. Sitting outside and providing water to the players and holding their bats.)

Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav share their emotions after being crowned champions. 🏆❤️#Champions #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/Omqg91W4nr

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 8, 2026

Net mein bowling. Fir humlog positive environment rakhte hai. Hamesha players ko aisa rehta hai ki khele, but team ka jo combination k liye humlog bahar baithe hai toh team is important. No person is important, but the team is important. Toh humlog ka aisa tha ki team jo sochti hai wahi behtar hoga. (Bowling in the nets. Then we keep a positive environment. Players always feel like they should play, but for the team combination, if we are sitting outside, then the team is important. No person is important, but the team is important. So our thinking was that whatever the team thinks will be better," Siraj added.

On Siraj’s birthday, we hope he keeps making comebacks because he is one of those players who are left out, called back, written off, then unleashed – a loop which is hard to break.