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40 But Still A Beast: Why Siraj Worships Cristiano Ronaldo And Performs Siuu Celebration

Akshita Patel

The special connection between Siraj and Cristiano Ronaldo [Source: @ActuCR7_, Getty/X.com]The special connection between Siraj and Cristiano Ronaldo [Source: @ActuCR7_, Getty/X.com]

Mohammed Siraj turned into an overnight hero for the Indian cricket team after his tireless efforts and five-wicket-haul helped the team win the fifth Test vs England and level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. After the match, Siraj revealed that football legend Cristiano Ronaldo served as an inspiration for him.

On Day 4 of the Test, Siraj dropped a crucial catch of Harry Brook, and England raced through the target of 374 runs with a 100+ runs partnership between Brook and Root. At stumps, the host team needed just 35 runs to win with 4 wickets in hand.

The next day, Siraj woke up early in nervousness and scrolled through the internet to find a picture of Ronaldo with the word ‘believe.’ He immediately saved it as his phone wallpaper and motivated himself to turn things around.

Siraj did exactly that and picked up 3 wickets on Day 5 to win India the Oval Test by 6 runs and also won the Player of the Match award.

When Mohammed Siraj Opened Up On His Admiration For Cristiano Ronaldo

That said, Mohammed Siraj’s connection with football legend Cristiano Ronaldo is not new. For years now, the fast bowler has pulled off Ronaldo’s iconic “Siuuu” celebration on the cricket field.

During the 2024 T20 World Cup, Siraj spoke to the ICC and revealed that he only does the celebration when he clean bowls a batter, not for catches or LBWs. The Indian pacer confessed that he is a massive fan of Ronaldo largely because of his work ethic, fitness, discipline and never-give-up mindset.

That admiration encouraged him to imitate the ‘Siuu’ celebration whenever he feels he has produced something special with the ball. For Siraj, Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest footballer of all time.

Siraj in press conference [Source: @BlueboyCR7/X.com]Siraj in press conference [Source: @BlueboyCR7/X.com]

Interestingly, Mohammed Siraj and Ronaldo’s journey has also been fairly similar. Like Ronaldo, Siraj comes from a very humble background. His father used to drive an auto-rickshaw in Hyderabad. Watching Ronaldo ascend from poverty in Madeira, Portugal, to being one of the finest footballers of all time, inspires Siraj.

The footballer is also renowned for his mental strength and resilience. No matter what it is, criticism, setbacks, or injuries, he always comes back stronger. Siraj too has gone through his personal and professional setbacks, such as losing his dad while on tour to establish himself in Tests, and thus he finds Ronaldo's mentality motivating.