Siraj Takes Reins: What Hyderabad's Bold Captaincy Move Means

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-09-20

Mohammed Siraj is no stranger to pressure. He's bowled in front of packed stadiums, taken the new ball for India, and stared down some of the best batters in the world. But leading Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy? That's a different kind of challenge. On September 19, 2026, the Hyderabad Cricket Association made it official: Siraj will captain the team for their first two Ranji Trophy matches of the 2026-27 season. Left-arm medium pacer C V Milind will serve as his vice-captain. It's a move that makes sense on paper. Siraj brings 32 years of life experience and a truckload of international cricket know-how. But captaincy isn't just about what you know—it's about how you lead. And that's what makes this appointment so intriguing. ### The Opening Fixtures: Tripura and Andhra Hyderabad's campaign kicks off against Tripura from October 11 to 14, 2026. Four days of red-ball cricket. Then they face Andhra from October 18 to 21. Two matches, two opportunities to set the tone. Hyderabad is in Group B alongside Karnataka, Punjab, and Saurashtra. It's not an easy group. Karnataka has a strong batting lineup, Punjab always brings pace, and Saurashtra knows how to grind out results. If Siraj's leadership is going to make a difference, it'll show up early. ### The 15-Man Squad: A Mix of Youth and Experience The selection committee picked a 15-member main squad for these opening matches. Here's who's in: - Mohammed Siraj (Captain) - C V Milind (Vice-Captain) - Tanmay Agarwal - M. Abhirath Reddy - Rahul Singh - K. Hima Teja - Rahul Radesh (Wicketkeeper) - Sai Pragnay Reddy (Wicketkeeper) - Varun Goud - Tanay Thyagarajan - Aniketh Reddy - Clt. Rakshann Readdi - Ajay Dev Goud - Ruthik Yadav Mende - Sai Vikas Reddy Tanmay Agarwal brings experience at the top of the order. Rahul Radesh and Sai Pragnay Reddy give the team two wicketkeeping options. The bowling attack, led by Siraj himself, includes Tanay Thyagarajan and Aniketh Reddy. Seven standby players were also named: Bhavesh Seth (backup wicketkeeper), H K Simha, T Ravi Teja, Shaunak Kulkarni, Mudassar Hussain, Kartikeya Kak, and A Pruthvi Reddy. ### Siraj's Recent Form: A Quick Look Siraj recently played for South Zone in the Duleep Trophy final against East Zone. He bowled 41 overs across two innings and took one wicket. Not a headline-grabbing performance, but it shows he's putting in the work. The question now is whether he can translate that work ethic into leadership. Captaincy in first-class cricket is about more than setting fields. It's about managing bowlers' workloads, keeping morale high during long days, and making quick decisions under pressure. ### Under-23 Squad Announced for Col. C.K. Nayudu Trophy The Hyderabad Cricket Association also announced its Under-23 squad for the Col. C.K. Nayudu Trophy. P. Aman Rao will captain the side, with Aaron George as vice-captain. Their schedule: - First match vs. Railways on October 12, 2026 - Second match vs. Uttarakhand on October 19, 2026 The 15-member Under-23 squad includes P. Aman Rao, Aaron George, A. Avanish Rao, Raghav Pattapu, Wafi Kachchhi, A. Vignesh Reddy, Sunkari Dheeraj, R. Sai Sharan, Pranav Varma, Murugan Abhishek, Kush Agarwal, Nishanth Saranu, Dinesh Rathod, M.A. Malik, and K. Rahul Karthikeya. Eight standby players were named: Tarun Rajan, Harshit Sai, Pranav Suryadevara, Yash Satwalker, G. Rithish Reddy, Mayank Gupta, Urwesh Kakkad, and Ghazi Abbas. Yash Satwalker is listed as a wicketkeeper. ### Why This Matters Siraj's captaincy isn't just about winning two matches. It's about setting a standard. Hyderabad cricket has produced some of India's finest players, but the state team hasn't consistently challenged for the Ranji Trophy in recent years. A strong start under Siraj could change that narrative. It could also send a message to younger players: if you work hard, you can lead. That's the kind of culture shift that lasts longer than any single season. For now, all eyes will be on October 11. Siraj walks out for the toss, not just as a fast bowler, but as a captain. It's a new role, a new challenge, and a chance to prove he's more than just a strike bowler. And honestly? That's worth watching.