‘Jaa ke apne baap ke saath auto chala’: Mohammed Siraj Recalls Dhoni’s Warning About Trolls

Life was far from easy for Mohammed Siraj until he began representing India. While success hasn’t made it all smooth sailing, the 31-year-old Hyderabad fast bowler, widely regarded as India’s second-best pacer after Jasprit Bumrah, has left his toughest days behind. Siraj is acutely aware of the emotional highs and lows Indian cricket fans can bring, having experienced both early in his career.

The hero of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which India drew 2-2 against England, was once heavily trolled for a poor season with Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. In an interview with The Indian Express, Siraj opened up about enduring intense online abuse during his IPL struggles—and the guidance from MS Dhoni that helped him rise above it.

“When things didn’t go my way during the IPL, I was trolled very badly,” Siraj admitted. “One day, fans say ‘there’s no bowler like Siraj,’ and the next, if I don’t perform, they say ‘jaa ke apne baap ke saath auto chalao’ (go ride the auto with your father). What’s the point of this?”

It was Dhoni’s words that helped him tune out the noise: “Kisi ki baaton mein nahin aana. Jab tu acha karega, toh poori duniya tumhare saath rahegi, aur jab kharaab karega, yahi duniya tujhe gaali degi” (Don’t pay attention to what others say. When you do well, everyone is with you. When you fail, they will be the first to abuse you).”

Siraj internalized the advice, deciding that outside praise didn’t matter—only the opinion of his teammates and family counted.

The Rise of Mohammed Siraj

Siraj’s journey to international cricket began in humble surroundings. His father drove an auto-rickshaw, and his mother worked hard to support the family. Cricket was just a dream—one that seemed almost impossible to reach.

“To be honest, I never dreamt of playing for India,” he said. “We didn’t have money. I used to give whatever I earned from tennis-ball cricket to my parents.”

His first major tournament came at the district level, still without having bowled with a leather ball. His breakthrough arrived when the owner of Charminar Cricket Club spotted his raw pace at the Vijay Anand ground.

“When he asked me to join his club, I told him I had financial problems. He said, ‘Tension mat le (don’t worry), we’ll provide everything.’ That was a turning point. I wore spikes for the first time after joining them.”

Word spread quickly: a young fast bowler from Hyderabad had real pace. Confidence and opportunities followed. As a net bowler ahead of a Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad match, Siraj impressed Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, catching the attention of then-India bowling coach Bharat Arun.

Even after being left out of the Ranji Trophy squad the following season, Arun tracked him down and got him into the team, where Siraj went on to become the highest wicket-taker in the tournament that year.

Siraj attributes his rise to hard work, divine timing, and parental blessings: “Upar wale ne saath diya, meri mehnat thi, maa-baap ki dua thi (God helped me, I worked hard, and I had my parents’ blessings).”

From struggling in obscurity to starring for India on the world stage, Siraj’s journey is a testament to resilience, focus, and faith.