Mohammed Siraj, one of India’s premier fast bowlers, has never shied away from acknowledging his humble roots. Hailing from a modest lower-middle-class family in Hyderabad, Siraj’s journey to international cricket is nothing short of inspiring. But even after rising through the ranks and earning his place in the Indian team, he finds himself at the receiving end of online trolling, especially when he underperforms.
Currently in England with India’s Test squad, Mohammed Siraj recently opened up on Instagram about the recurring mockery he faces—trolls invoking his late father’s profession as an autorickshaw driver to insult him. Instead of letting the hate get to him, Siraj chose to respond with grace and gratitude.
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“I am grateful every day to get a chance to represent India,” he wrote. “Who would’ve thought, a son of an auto-driver playing for the Indian cricket team? Every time a kid says he wants to play for India, I smile with pride. But there are also those who reduce it to an insult, who say ‘go back to driving autos like your dad’ anytime I don’t perform well.”
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Siraj lost his father during the 2020 Australia tour, and owing to COVID-19 restrictions, he couldn’t return for the funeral. That pain, however, only strengthened his resolve. He says it’s his father’s work ethic, not his job title, that built the foundation of his success.
“My dad’s work is not an insult—it’s my strength. He showed me what true hard work looks like. I learned hunger walking back home after long practice sessions. Being ignored only fueled my desire to succeed,” he shared.
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Having played a key role in India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad, Siraj stands as a powerful reminder that no background is too small to achieve something big—and no troll can belittle a journey built on resilience.
