India, Oct. 7 -- Life was anything but a bed of roses for Mohammed Siraj till he started playing for India. It would be an exaggeration to state that it is one now, but Siraj has left his toughest days well behind. The 31-year-old man from Hyderabad, widely acknowledged as the second-best Indian fast bowler after Jasprit Bumrah, is very much aware of the high emotions that drive the Indian fans. Whether they would behave as devotees or become unforgiving entirely depends on the outcome of what transpires on the cricket field. Siraj has tasted both very early in his career.

The hero of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which India drew 2-2 against England, was once severely trolled for having a bad season for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru ...