Owaisi’s Praise in True Hyderabadi Style
Following India’s thrilling 6-run victory over England in the fifth Test at The Oval, Asaduddin Owaisi shared a GIF of Mohammed Siraj on his official X account and said, “Always a winner @mdsirajofficial! As we say in Hyderabadi, poora khol diye Pasha! Mohammed Siraj truly shines!”
The AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP’s appreciation came after Mohammed Siraj’s stellar performance as the hero of India’s narrow victory, with Mohammed Siraj demonstrating exceptional bowling throughout the series, especially on the final day.
The Performance That Sparked Celebration
India defeated England by just 6 runs at The Oval, ending the series in a 2-2 draw. Siraj’s bowling performance was instrumental in this nail-biting finish, showcasing the pace and precision that has made him one of India’s premier fast bowlers.
The phrase “poora khol diye Pasha” – a quintessentially Hyderabadi expression meaning “you’ve completely unleashed your skills” – perfectly captured the local pride in their cricket star’s achievement.
A Bond Beyond Politics
This exchange highlights the special connection between the two prominent figures from Hyderabad. While Owaisi represents the city in Parliament and Siraj represents India on the cricket field, both share deep roots in the historic city known for its rich cultural heritage and distinctive dialect.
The public appreciation from Owaisi demonstrates how sports can unite people across different spheres of public life, with regional pride playing a significant role in celebrating local talent’s success on the international stage.
The Hyderabadi Spirit
Mohammed Siraj’s journey from Hyderabad’s local cricket grounds to becoming a key player in India’s Test team resonates strongly with his hometown supporters. Born on 13 March 1994 in Hyderabad, Telangana to a Hyderabadi Muslim family, with his father being an auto rickshaw driver, Siraj’s success story embodies the aspirations of many young cricketers from the city.
Cricket Fraternity Joins the Praise
Owaisi wasn’t alone in celebrating Siraj’s heroics. The cricket world erupted with praise for the Hyderabadi pacer’s match-winning performance, with tributes pouring in from across the cricketing spectrum.
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh gave perhaps the most colorful tribute, calling Siraj “our Ronaldo” in a comparison that likened the fast bowler to football’s global superstar for his match-winning abilities. The comparison drew widespread attention on social media, with fans appreciating the unique analogy between cricket and football excellence.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was effusive in his praise for the entire team’s performance. The batting maestro posted “Test cricket… absolute goosebumps” on social media, rating India’s series performance a perfect 10 and calling the team “Supermen from India. What a win”. Tendulkar’s endorsement carried significant weight given his stature in world cricket.
Even England captain Ben Stokes, despite being on the losing side, acknowledged Siraj’s excellence and praised the Indian pacer’s relentless spirit throughout the Test series. Such recognition from the opposition captain highlighted the respect Siraj has earned from players across teams.
India’s captain Shubman Gill also lavished praise on his man-of-the-match bowler, highlighting how Siraj’s bowling partnership with Prasidh Krishna proved instrumental in securing the narrow victory. Gill’s appreciation underscored the tactical importance of Siraj’s performance in the team’s overall strategy.
Renowned cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle has been consistently appreciative of Siraj’s performances throughout the series. Earlier in the tour, Bhogle called Siraj “a captain’s dream” after his six-wicket haul in the second Test, and continued to praise his match-winning abilities as the series progressed. Bhogle’s expert analysis provided context to Siraj’s growing reputation as a match-winner.
This chorus of appreciation from across the cricket spectrum – from former legends to current players, from teammates to opponents – underscores just how spectacular Siraj’s performance was in what many are calling one of the greatest Test matches in recent memory.
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