Mohammed Siraj cancelled his Spain vacation to join India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad after captain Suryakumar Yadav called him 24 hours before the tournament opener. Siraj had planned to watch Real Madrid play Real Sociedad on February 15 in Spain. Instead, he flew to Mumbai and took three wickets for 29 runs in India’s win over the USA at Wankhede Stadium on Friday.
Harshit Rana got ruled out with a knee injury. India needed a fast bowler replacement immediately. Suryakumar called Siraj and said Pack your bags and come. Siraj thought it was a prank call at first. A second call from national selector Pragyan Ojha confirmed the news was real.
Cancelled Plans for Spain Trip
Siraj had finished his Ranji Trophy matches for Hyderabad. He was resting at home when the call came. The fast bowler had tickets to Spain. He wanted to watch Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu. The match was set for February 15. Siraj also planned to spend time with his family and prepare for Ramzan.
The phone call changed everything. Suryakumar told him India needed him for the World Cup starting February 7. Siraj had to make a choice. Watch Real Madrid or play in a World Cup. He chose cricket. The Spain trip got cancelled. Family time got postponed. Siraj packed his bags and took the next flight to Mumbai.
He told reporters later that he could not believe the call was real. Nobody expected him to be part of the World Cup squad. He was not in the original 15 players selected. Harshit getting injured opened the door. Siraj walked through it without hesitation.
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Made an Immediate Impact Against the USA
Siraj landed in Mumbai less than 24 hours before India’s opening match. He went straight to practice. The team management included him in the playing eleven against the USA. Jasprit Bumrah was unwell with a fever. That made Siraj’s inclusion even more important.
The fast bowler took the new ball alongside Arshdeep Singh. He bowled with pace and swing. The USA struggled against his line and length. Siraj finished with figures of three for 29 in his four overs. India won the match by 29 runs. Siraj’s last-minute addition proved valuable, showcasing the kind of performances that have made India one of the World Cup winners in T20 cricket history.
This was not Siraj’s first late call. He has been in and out of India’s T20I squad for years. He plays Tests and ODIs regularly. T20 cricket has been different. His last T20 international came months ago. The World Cup call gave him another chance.
From Dreams to Reality
Siraj described the experience as feeling like a dream. He sat on the plane thinking about how fast things had changed. Two days ago, he was planning a vacation to Spain. Now he was flying to play in the World Cup. The journey from home to Wankhede happened in hours.
Real Madrid will play more matches. Siraj can watch them later. World Cups come once every two years. Playing for India in Mumbai during a World Cup is bigger than any football match. Siraj made the right call by choosing cricket over vacation.
The fast bowler said he will visit Spain after the tournament ends. His family understood the decision. They know cricket comes first for him. Ramzan preparations can wait. India needed a bowler. Siraj answered the call.
Suryakumar’s phone call did more than just alter Siraj’s February schedule. It gave the fast bowler a World Cup to play. Three wickets in the first match showed he belongs at this level, adding to the T20 records being created throughout the tournament. India plays Namibia next on February 12. Siraj will look to keep taking wickets.
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