The BCCI (Cricket Control Board in India) issued an official statement on Saturday after the father of Indian cricket team fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Ghouse, passed away on Friday at the age of 53. The BCCI reported that Siraj was offered the option of flying back for his father’s last rites, but the fast bowler chose to stay behind.
Read also | ‘Tremendous character’: Sourav Ganguly’s motivational tweet for Mohammed Siraj after the death of Pacer’s father
“Team India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj lost his father on Friday after a short illness. The Cricket Control Board in India (BCCI) had a discussion with Siraj and they offered him the option to fly back and be with his family in this hour of pain, ”said the BCCI.
“The fast bowler has decided to stay with the Indian contingent and continue to carry out his national duties. The BCCI shares your pain and will support Siraj in this extremely challenging phase.
“The BCCI asks the media to grant Siraj and her grieving relatives their space and privacy.”
BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly praised Siraj’s strength and called him a “tremendous character” for choosing to stay behind and prioritize national duty. “May Mohammed Siraj have great strength to overcome this loss … many good wishes for his success on this journey … tremendous character,” Ganguly tweeted.
Siraj was drafted into the Indian test side in the later part of his campaign at IPL 2020, in which the fast pitcher, playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore, took 11 wickets from nine matches. Against Kolkata Knight Riders, Siraj made history by becoming the first bowler in the IPL to throw two maidens in the same match, finishing with 3/8 of four overs.
The Indian squad is currently in the middle of a 14-day quarantine period in Australia and all the players have been training in Sydney with an eye to the protocols in place to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
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