The more the taxi goes in, the harder it gets. Piles of dirt on the side of the road, cattle somewhere. After a bumpy road, we finally found the First Lancer Eidgah in Hyderabad. It is used as a playground except for two Eids in a year. Paharsam is the contribution of this Eidgah where Indian star pacer Mohammad Siraj grew up.
Because of Siraj, the name of this First Lancer Eidgah is on everyone’s lips. So even from a distance of about 1 thousand 800 km, it was not necessary to find the speed. There is a big pulpit in this sandy field surrounded by settlements. Running away from school, leaving aside his studies, Siraj wrote his future here.
Moving towards the field, some people are seen working intensively. Some are rolling on the pitch, some are giving water, including rising cricketers. They were preparing the pitch for a tennis ball tournament. Speaking of Mohammad Siraj, a rising pacer named Mohammad Zahid Ali started talking.
Siraj bhai comes here when he gets leave after the series. Play here with us, refresh your mind by chatting. Always give me bowling tips. He also tells them very well when and how to give the ball.’
After the Test series against Bangladesh, Siraj rushed to Hyderabad, his old stomping grounds as usual. He enjoys chatting, eating and drinking with his childhood friends. Bowled on the first lancer’s wicket.
Some people who were there including Zahid were telling these stories of Siraj. Meanwhile, this star pacer’s closest friend and elder brother Mohammad Amjad Khan came. Who is known here as Maddy Bhai. Maddy Bhai told about Siraj’s growing up.
He used to play cricket after skipping school and college. He used to laugh and joke with everyone. He was very crazy about cricket. Even playing in the junior team, he used to bowl very hard. No one used to bowl like him.’
According to Maddy Bhai, Siraj was an all-rounder. He used to kill the big six and throw them in the neighboring houses. Siraj hasn’t changed a bit, still the same; Maddy Bhai was saying these things in an excited voice.
He used to play with adults since childhood. He was an all-rounder here. He used to hit a big six. Now the tail ender, the opportunity does not match. He is still as he was before. Laughing and chatting with everyone, big and small. He does not come here at the end of the series. He used to tell everyone that the fruit of patience is very sweet.
Siraj’s old house was found near Maddy Bhai. Siraj lived in Ghinji house on the hill across the crooked path behind the field. Siraj lived with his father, an auto driver, on the second floor of this house rented in the name of ‘Mohammed Rafiq’. Rafiq, the owner of the house, said that even after becoming a big star, Siraj did not forget them, he invited them to any event.
‘He was here for about five years. After getting an opportunity in IPL, he bought his own house in Banjara Hills. It calls us whenever there is a function. I can’t tell you how we like it. He is still with us as he was before’ – Mohammad Rafiq said.
Siraj used to play khap while staying in a rented house and returned home with various trophies. Sometimes he got cash. Mohammad Rafiq said that after Siraj’s first IPL, the media was thronging this lane for a few months.
Mohammad Rafiq said, “Despite financial problems, Siraj was addicted to the game. He regularly returned home with various trophies. His father was a very good man. His father is not alive now. We still have a good relationship with the family, just like before.’
But despite being such a big star, Siraj did not forget this street known as Katte, he came running whenever he got time. Sirajs are like that, even if they fly in the sky, they keep their feet on the ground.
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