The tour of Australia saw the emergence of Mohammed Siraj as a leader and a player who is mature beyond his years. His tour began tragically as his father Mohammed Ghaus died. Mohammed Siraj could not make it back to Hyderabad due to the coronavirus protocols in Australia and he decided to stay back and fulfill his father’s dream to play Tests for India. The move earned him a lot of praise for his determination and strong-mindedness. When Mohammed Siraj made his debut in Melbourne following the injury to Mohammed Shami, he showed he belonged at the highest level. In Sydney, Mohammed Siraj showed how much it meant for India when he shed tears of joy when the national anthem was being played at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
However, in that match, he and Jasprit Bumrah both were subject to racial abuse but Mohammed Siraj took a firm stance and reported the matter immediately to authorities. Six spectators were ejected out of the Sydney Cricket Ground. In Brisbane, he became the leader of the attack as injuries ravaged the Indian cricket team and he ended up with his maiden five-wicket haul. India won the Test in Brisbane and ended Australia’s 32-year dominance at the venue. The fact that Mohammed Siraj had played such a vital role elevated his status in Indian cricket. On his return back to Hyderabad following his exploits in Australia, Mohammed Siraj prayed at the graveyard where his father was buried and he paid tribute to him silently through a prayer.
Perfect gift for his father
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Mohammed Siraj’s emotional journey Down Under, From tragic loss of father to leader of attack in Brisbane
When Mohammed Siraj took his five-wicket haul, he remembered his late father. During the Sydney Test, when the national anthem was being played, Mohammed Siraj remembered his father’s words and he said that the achievement of a five-wicket haul in Brisbane was still sinking in. “It was a tough situation, dad’s demise. I got strength after talking to mom and my focus was to realise dad’s dream. I got mentally strong with their support. I felt that whatever was dad’s desire, I have to fulfill that. It got fulfilled,” Siraj said.
In the entire series, Mohammed Siraj bowled the most number of overs and he also got the only five-wicket haul by an Indian in the whole series. The entire tour was a perfect tribute by Mohammed Siraj to his father.
