Mohammed Siraj claims replacing Harshit Rana for T20 World Cup 2026 felt like a 'joke'

India National Cricket Team pacer Mohammed Siraj was all set to fly to Spain to watch the Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad football match. But suddenly, everything changed for the India bowler.

From Spain trip to T20 World Cup 2026 surprise for Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj got a surprise call from Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav that he was selected for the T20 World Cup 2026 as injured Harshit Rana’s replacement.

The fiery paceman revealed that he could not believe it at first, and even he thought it was a joke. Even after receiving the call from the Indian captain, Siraj remained uncertain until he heard the same news from Indian selector Pragyan Ojha.

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The surprise was so big that Siraj had to cancel his Spain trip and immediately start preparing for his second T20 World Cup in India jersey and made an immediate impact at the Wankhede Stadium.

'Bhai mazaak mat karo....' - Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj said at the post-match inteaction, “Two days ago, Surya Bhai said, 'Miyaan bags pack kaar aur aaja (Pack your bags and come (to Mumbai)). I told him, "Bhai mazaak mat karo kyon ki yeh to honewala hain nahi (Brother, please don't joke, as this won't happen)." But he said, “Mai sach keh raha hoon, ready ho ja” (I am telling you the truth, get ready).”

The fast bowler further added, “Then Ojha Bhai called me... Whatever the almighty has written, no one can change that. There is a Real Madrid game on the 15th, and I was going to watch it, and after that Ramzan, but whatever the almighty has written...”

Before this call, Mohammed Siraj had been playing in domestic cricket. He was tired after two long four-day matches, so when India’s fitness coach Adrian Le Roux messaged him asking about his plans, Siraj told him, “Don’t message me right now because I have played two four-day games and I need rest. I will see after this what the plan is.”

Siraj’s moment of realization

When he finally got on the flight to Mumbai, reality started to sink in. It was like a dream for Siraj because he had almost accepted that he might not get a chance to play in the World Cup since he had not played T20I cricket since mid-2024, and others were preparing for the tournament.

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Siraj signed off by saying, “It was feeling like a dream when I was on the flight, because I had not thought about playing in the World Cup. The planning was going on for the last year; those who were bound to play in this were getting the chances, and since I had not played T20Is, I had understood that I won't be a part of it.”

Siraj steals the show with 3/29 against USA

Notably, Siraj made an immediate impact and proved his worth with the ball during India’s 29-run win against the USA in their T20 World Cup 2026 opener in Mumbai. The Hyderabad pacer shared the new ball duty with Arshdeep Singh and shattered USA’s top order.

Jasprit Bumrah missed the game due to a health issue. Eventually, Siraj finished with the stunning spell of 3/29 in his four overs against the USA to justify the selectors’ call.