Virat Kohli has come to Toli Chowki, it became news: Mohammed Siraj recalls Kohli visiting his house

KEY STORY

• In the last few years, Mohammed Siraj has emerged as one of the finest pacers in Indian cricket. Siraj has gone from strength to strength after making his international debut in Australia – where he played a key role in Team India registering its second successive Test series win on Australian soil. Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli has played a big role in Siraj’s career.

• Speaking on The RCB Podcast, Siraj recalled an incident when he had invited his Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team to his home for a biryani treat. The pacer was however heartbroken when Kohli told him he won’t be able to come due to a stiff back.

• However, Kohli joined the RCB teammates who visited Siraj’s home which became news in the locality.

  “I had invited everyone from RCB to my house for dinner. I went home straight from the hotel. When I called him (Virat) up, he said “I have a stiff back miyan, I can’t come.” I told him to rest. What more could I say. But, when everyone came, I saw him get off the car. Everyone was there, PP (Parthiv Patel) Bhai, Chahal Bhai. I just ran towards Bhaiya (Virat) and hugged him. It was the best surprise of my life. Because Bhaiya (Virat) had said he won’t come. It became news, Virat Kohli has come to Toli Chowki,” Siraj said.

• Like most of Indian cricketers, Siraj too comes from a humble background where his father was an autorickshaw driver and he received a daily allowance of Rs 60 for petrol. Siraj recalled how his life changed completely ever since he started playing in the IPL.

  “I only had struggles, my dad used to drive an auto, I only had a Platina. Dad used to give me 60 rupees for Petrol. I would manage with that to reach Uppal Stadium, which was quite far from my house. When I was selected for the IPL, all those struggles came to an end. Dad stopped driving the auto, mom stopped doing household work, we stopped living in rented accommodation, we bought a new house. I didn’t need anything else in life. All I needed was my parents to be happy in a house we own. IPL gave me fame, it taught me the ways to be in social circles from meeting and talking to so many people. I learned so much. It’s all because of IPL,” Siraj added.

• Siraj was one of the three players retained by RCB after Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell. Kohli will not be leading RCB in IPL 2022 as he had announced his decision to step down as the captain following IPL 2021.