Mohammed Siraj has been appointed captain of the Hyderabad squad for the first two fixtures of the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season. The India international will lead the team against Tripura and Andhra, with C.V. Milind named as vice-captain.
Milind’s appointment includes a provision to lead the side should Siraj be required for national duty. A scheduling overlap exists between the domestic season and India’s international calendar, as the T20I series against the West Indies concludes on October 17, while Hyderabad’s first match begins on October 11.
“In the absence or unavailability of Mohammed Siraj, C. V. Milind will assume the role of captain and lead the Hyderabad team for the concerned match/matches,” the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) confirmed in an official statement.
The domestic stint provides Siraj an opportunity to focus on his match fitness. Analysis suggests the pacer is using the Ranji Trophy as a platform to rediscover his peak bowling rhythm following a dip in speed during the recent tour of Sri Lanka. Siraj has noted that his effectiveness depends on consistent match frequency.
“Coming off a two-month break straight into a match, my rhythm wasn’t quite there. I’m purely a rhythm bowler. If I’m not in sync, I simply can’t explode through the crease,” Siraj said regarding his recent bowling form.
Hyderabad is competing in Elite Group B for the 2026-27 season. The group includes Karnataka, Punjab, Saurashtra, Andhra, Tripura, Chhattisgarh, and Assam. To support the squad, the HCA has appointed domestic veteran Wasim Jaffer as the team mentor for the season.
Hyderabad will open their campaign against Tripura on October 11, followed by a second-round match against Andhra on October 18. Siraj’s availability for the opener remains contingent on his release from the national T20I squad.
