Virat Kohli was the ideal captain and a support that Mohammed Siraj desperately needed at a time of great personal loss. The fast young bowler had just lost his father and had to make the difficult decision to either fly back home or stay with the rest of the team in Australia. After some deliberation, Siraj chose the latter. The one who gave him courage and helped Siraj make a decision was Captain Kohli.
Kohli is no stranger to overcoming personal tragedy as he continues with his professional duties. In 2007, Kohli, then a teenager, lost his father in the middle of a Ranji Trophy match, but returned the next day to score 97 and help Delhi draw the important game, showing his mental toughness.
“Virat bhai said ‘Miyaan tense maat le (don’t tense up) and be strong. Your father wanted you to play for India. So do that and don’t stress yourself out, ”Siraj, 26, told ‘bcci.tv’ on the sidelines of India’s training session in Sydney.
Siraj’s father, Mohammed Ghouse, 53, died of lung disease in Hyderabad last week and despite being offered the option to return home by BCCI, the speedy bowler decided to stay on national service. .
“The boss told me: ‘If you can be strong in this situation, it will only help you.’ So those were positive words from the Indian captain and it felt good.
Siraj’s father drove a rickshaw during his formative years as a cricketer and has been the greatest influence on the man of Hyderabad.
“It is a great loss for me as he was the greatest support system of my life. I wanted him to shine for my country and my way of thinking now is to fulfill his dreams, “he said.
Siraj thanked his teammates, who have joined him.
“I am indebted to my teammates because they supported me in these difficult times and everything was well taken care of,” he said.
(With PTI inputs)
.
