"At that moment, I didn't know what was happening with me" - Mohammed Siraj recalls his first memories of playing in the IPL

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj recently spoke about his first memories of playing at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Siraj made the comments ahead of his team's crucial encounter against the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Thursday, May 18.

Siraj was bought by the SRH franchise for ₹2.5 crore ahead of the 2017 season. While speaking on the RCB YouTube channel on Wednesday, he recalled the incident leading to his IPL debut for SRH against the Delhi Capitals (DC).

"I was selected for the first time in 2017 for SRH, I had not played the opening matches," Siraj said. "After 6 matches I got an opportunity when Tom Moody called me and asked, "Where are you mate?" and I told him "I am home" and he said you are playing today. At that moment, I didn't know what was happening with me. I immediately headed back to the Stadium and made my debut against the Delhi Capitals."

The local boy also spoke about the nerves he felt ahead of his IPL debut in Hyderabad.

"It was my first time playing in front of a packed stadium, was so nervous, I can't express the pressure I was feeling, my body had become heavy, when running I felt like my legs got heavy that I got hit for 3 fours in a row but fourth ball I got a wicket so the pressure was released," he said.

The 29-year-old was hit for three successive boundaries by Sam Billings before picking up his wicket in the fourth ball of the over.

Despite playing only six games for SRH in 2017, Siraj showed plenty of promise, picking up 10 wickets at an average of 21.20. He was purchased by RCB at the mega auction in 2018 and has been a vital cog in the Bangalore-based franchise ever since.

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"It also swings here so excited to bowl here tomorrow" - Mohammed Siraj on bowling at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium

Mohammed Siraj also shared his thoughts on the prospect of bowling at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad ahead of the must-win encounter against the SunRisers Hyderabad.

"Very excited, fast bowlers get a lot of help with the bounce and there is lot of pace in the wicket too," he said. "It also swings here so excited to bowl here tomorrow."

Siraj has had an outstanding season with the ball, picking up 16 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 20.44 and an economy rate of 6.79 runs per over.

Despite his impressive bowling though, RCB are in a precarious position. They have 12 points from as many games, and need to win their remaining two games - against SRH and the Gujarat Titans (GT) - to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs for a fourth successive season.