Name Hindi: इक़बाल सिद्दीकी / Gender Man
Iqbal Siddiqui: The Unforgettable Cricketer
Born as Mohammed Iqbal Khan Siddiqui on 17th December 1974, Iqbal Siddiqui is a former Indian cricketer who has significantly contributed to Indian cricket. His life off and on the pitch crafted an inspiring journey worthy of discussion.
A Glimpse at his Early Life
The son of Imam Hassan Ali and Fardusa Begum, Iqbal was born in Amravati, Maharashtra. He started expressing interest in cricket from a young age. Professional cricket training shaped his skills helping him become one of the most significant players for India.
The Journey Begins – First-Class Cricket Career
Siddiqui’s professional cricket journey began in the early-1990s. A right-arm fast-medium bowler and right-hand batsman, he first played for Vidarbha from 1991 until 2000. Later, he transferred to Maharashtra where he played three seasons (from 2000-01 to 2002-03) before switching back to Vidarbha.
- In total, he appeared in 87 first-class matches scoring a total of 2017 runs with an average rate of 20.38 including one century.
- In terms of bowling performance, Siddiqui took 248 wickets with a typical bowling average rate of around 26.57 including eight five-wicket hauls during an inning.
- Among his notable performances were taking six wickets against Rajasthan during the semi-final match of the Ranji Trophy Plate League in January 2006 which led Vidarbha into their maiden final round appearance.
Test Debut & International Career
Following his excellent domestic performances, Iqbal Siddiqui was chosen for the national team. He made his Test debut on March 15th, 2002 against Zimbabwe where he took two wickets (that of Dion Ebrahim and Douglas Hondo).
- Nicknamed ‘Sidda’, he found it challenging to secure a permanent spot in the Indian cricket team. His international career spanned from 1998 to 2011.
- Despite not being able to make it big in International Cricket, Siddiqui’s contributions to Indian First-Class cricket are held in high regard by critics and fans alike.
Post-Cricket Life & Legacy
Iqbal Siddiqui retired officially in December 2009 marking an end to his nearly two-decade long career. Since retiring from active sports, he has made significant strides as a coach guiding young cricketers towards realizing their full potential while passing on insights drawn from his vast experience.
In conclusion, Iqbal Siddiqui, despite having had a short stint with international cricket, left an indelible mark in the world of first-class cricket thanks largely due to his remarkable bowling skills combined with steady batting performance.
