Siraj Takes the Reins: Hyderabad's Bold Gamble for Ranji Glory

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-09-20

When a fast bowler who's rattled the world's best batters steps into a leadership role, you can't help but wonder: will that fiery intensity translate into captaincy gold? That's exactly the question Hyderabad is betting on. On September 19, 2026, the Hyderabad Cricket Association made it official: Mohammed Siraj will captain the team for their first two Ranji Trophy matches of the 2026-27 season. And right beside him, left-arm medium pacer C V Milind will serve as vice-captain. It's a fresh leadership duo, and honestly, it's got people talking. ### The Opening Challenges: Tripura and Andhra Hyderabad kicks off their campaign against Tripura from October 11 to 14, 2026. Just four days later, they'll face Andhra from October 18 to 21. Both matches will test the new captain's tactical nous right out of the gate. Hyderabad sits in Group B alongside Karnataka, Punjab, and Saurashtra. It's not exactly a walk in the park, but with Siraj at the helm, there's a sense that this team could surprise a few folks. ### Meet the 15-Man Squad The selection committee has put together a 15-member main squad for these opening fixtures. Let's break it down: - **Captain:** Mohammed Siraj - **Vice-Captain:** C V Milind - **Batters:** Tanmay Agarwal, M. Abhirath Reddy, Rahul Singh, K. Hima Teja, Varun Goud, Ruthik Yadav Mende, Sai Vikas Reddy - **Wicketkeepers:** Rahul Radesh, Sai Pragnay Reddy - **Bowling/All-rounders:** Tanay Thyagarajan, Aniketh Reddy, Clt. Rakshann Readdi, Ajay Dev Goud And there are seven standby players ready to step in if needed: Bhavesh Seth (backup wicketkeeper), H K Simha, T Ravi Teja, Shaunak Kulkarni, Mudassar Hussain, Kartikeya Kak, and A Pruthvi Reddy. ### Siraj's Journey: From Speedster to Skipper At 32, Siraj brings a wealth of international experience to this role. He recently played for South Zone against East Zone in the Duleep Trophy final, bowling 41 overs across two innings and taking one wicket. Not exactly a headline-grabbing performance, but his presence alone lifts the team. What makes this appointment interesting is the timing. Siraj is still very much in his prime as a bowler. Can he balance his own game with the demands of captaincy? That's the million-dollar question. ### Under-23 Squad Also Announced In the same announcement, Hyderabad named their Under-23 squad for the Col. C.K. Nayudu Trophy. P. Aman Rao will captain the side, with Aaron George as his deputy. The Under-23 team faces Railways on October 12, 2026, and then Uttarakhand on October 19. Their 15-member squad includes: - P. Aman Rao (Captain) - Aaron George (Vice-Captain) - A. Avanish Rao, Raghav Pattapu, Wafi Kachchhi, A. Vignesh Reddy - Sunkari Dheeraj (Wicketkeeper) - R. Sai Sharan, Pranav Varma, Murugan Abhishek, Kush Agarwal - Nishanth Saranu, Dinesh Rathod, M.A. Malik, K. Rahul Karthikeya Eight standby players were also named: Tarun Rajan, Harshit Sai, Pranav Suryadevara, Yash Satwalker (wicketkeeper), G. Rithish Reddy, Mayank Gupta, Urwesh Kakkad, and Ghazi Abbas. ### What This Means for Hyderabad's Season Siraj's captaincy is a statement of intent. Hyderabad isn't just filling a spot; they're investing in a leader who knows what it takes to compete at the highest level. The question is whether his aggression and experience can galvanize a squad that's hungry for success. One thing's for sure: all eyes will be on Hyderabad when they take the field against Tripura. Will Siraj's captaincy debut be a masterstroke or a learning curve? We'll find out soon enough. For more cricket news and updates, keep an eye on our blog.