Mohammed Siraj named Hyderabad captain following ODI comeback

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has been named the captain of the Hyderabad Ranji Trophy team for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. The appointment comes after he made his return to the ODI team during the ongoing series against New Zealand. With Hyderabad still in contention in Elite Group D, the selectors have handed the captaincy responsibility to Siraj for the final phase of the tournament.

Hyderabad will play their remaining two Ranji Trophy fixtures at home, facing Mumbai from January 22 and Chhattisgarh from January 29 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The team is currently placed fourth in Group D with 13 points, giving them an outside chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Tilak Varma was initially named captain for the season but was ruled out after suffering an abdominal injury while being part of India’s T20I squad against New Zealand. As a result, the Hyderabad selectors turned to Siraj, despite him having no prior experience as a professional captain. Notably, batter G Rahul Singh has been appointed as vice-captain.

According to reports, Siraj was handed the leadership role due to his vast experience and achievements. The selectors view this stint as a possible trial, with an eye on appointing him as Hyderabad’s full-time Ranji Trophy captain in the next season.

Mohammed Siraj to make his first Ranji appearances this season

Meanwhile, Siraj played an important role in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy last year, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 23 scalps. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Siraj successfully led the attack. Although the 31-year-old is yet to play a Ranji Trophy match for Hyderabad this season, he has remained active in domestic cricket. He featured in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, taking seven wickets in four matches, and also represented Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he picked up three wickets in three games. Notably, he claimed a four-wicket haul against Bengal in the tournament.

In the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand, Siraj made his ODI comeback after being dropped for the South Africa tour. He picked up two wickets in the first ODI at Vadodara, but went wicketless in the second game at Rajkot. The matches against Mumbai and Chhattisgarh will be Siraj’s first Ranji appearances this season, subject to national commitments. 

Hyderabad Squad

Md Siraj (Captain), G Rahul Singh (Vice Captain), CV Milind, Tanay Thyagarajan, K Rohit Rayudu, K Himateja, A Varun Goud, M Abhirath Reddy, Rahul Radesh (WK), Aman Rao Perala, CTL Rakshann Readdi, N Nitin Sai Yadav, Kanala Nitesh Reddy, Sai Pragnay Reddy (WK),  B Punnaiah.

Standbys: Mickil Jaiswal, A Avanish Rao (WK), Kartikeya Kak, Pranav Varma, P Nitish Reddy.