Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj was unable to perform his late father’s last rites last month as he was in Australia with the national team, but made him proud by making his India Test debut in Melbourne, his family said on Saturday. Siraj, 26, lost her father Mohammed Ghaus, an auto-rickshaw driver in Hyderabad, on November 20, about a week after the Indian team landed in Australia and was unable to return home due to restrictions on Covid-19.
His brother Ismail said it was his late father’s dream to see Siraj play for the country in Tests and the dream was finally fulfilled on Saturday at MCG. “It was my (late) father’s dream for Siraj to represent India in the trials … he always wanted to see him (Siraj) in a blue and white jersey to represent the nation, so our dream came true today,” he said. Ismail to Hyderabad PTI.
Family members were glued to the television from 4 a.m. to see Siraj’s moment of pride playing for the country in a test. He has already played one ODI and three T20 Internationals.
“Since the team was announced yesterday, we knew it was going to make its debut. We didn’t sleep all night, we turned on the TV from 4 am, ”said Ismail, a software professional who now works as his brother’s manager.
So what were your thoughts when Siraj didn’t go bowling in the opening session? “We were anxiously waiting when he will bowl … intezaar badhte jaa raha tha (our wait was getting longer) … but after the lunch break, the first round started and (the wait) ended” Ismail said.
“It was a proud moment for us,” he said, adding that it was an emotional moment for the family members residing in Hyderabad. Siraj returned with figures of 2/40, claiming the Marnus Labuschagne and Cameroon Green lands. Ismail said Siraj spoke to his mother after the day’s game.
“I chatted with him through messages, I didn’t bother him much because he was tired and tomorrow there is a game again. However, he called Ammi (mother), ”Ismail said.
.
