It was the best gift of my life: Mohammed Siraj opens up about when Virat Kohli surprised him at home

In an episode of Breakfast with Champions, Siraj opened up about his debut in 2020, which came right after India suffered the humiliation of losing to Australia after scoring 36 in their second innings.

Virat Kohli had to return home after that match and Mohammad Shami’s injury paved the way for Siraj to make his debut for the Indian team under Ajinkya Rahane.

I didn’t bowl a single one the first time. Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav started the proceedings, then Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja got their chance. I started thinking if I am Virat Kohli’s replacement, Siraj said.

During the break, Ajinkya Rahane came to me and said now you have to bowl from one end only, he added.

He also spoke about how Kohli had surprised him with a dinner at his new house, which he had bought after his debut season in the IPL.

I invited Virat bhai to my house saying I am hosting dinner, will you come? He said yes, yes Miyan. I will. Then I organized everything and invited the whole team. I called Virat again and he said he couldn’t make it because he had a stiff back. I was sad but he finally succeeded and surprised me. I ran and hugged him. It was the greatest gift of my life, Siraj said.