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]“Go Ride the Auto with Your Father”: Mohammed Siraj Credits MS Dhoni for Career Turnaround
by K D Mishra
Mohammed Siraj has left behind the days when he struggled and did not play well.. He is now one of the best bowlers in the world and is winning matches for India in international cricket. The right-arm pacer took 23 wickets in the five-match Test series against England and played a key role in helping his team to draw the series 2-2.
However, it wasn’t always easy. Earlier, he used to concede runs and faced a lot of criticism on social media. “I was trolled when I didn’t bowl well in the IPL. When I did well, people appreciated me, but when I didn’t, they used to say things like, ‘Go ride the auto with your father,’” he said.
Mohammed Siraj said, "when I joined the team, MS Dhoni told me, 'Don’t pay attention to what others say. When you are performing well the fans and the world will be with you and say there is no bowler like Siraj. In the next game, if you don’t perform, they will say go, ride the… pic.twitter.com/cQSKgDCB7U
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 6, 2025
MS Dhoni’s advice helped him stay focused during the tough times. “When I joined the Indian team, M.S Dhoni told me not to worry about what others think about." "If you do well, people will support you, if you don’t, they will criticize you,” Siraj said. These words made him understand that he didn’t need praise from others. What mattered most were the opinions of his teammates and family.
Siraj comes from a simple family. His father was an auto-rickshaw driver, and his mother worked hard to maintain family expences. “I never dreamt of playing for India. We were not financially good. I used to give my money earnings from tennis-ball cricket to my parents.”Siraj credits his success to hard work, God’s help, and the blessings of his parents.
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