Before making his test debut on Saturday, Mohammed Siraj had appeared in 3 T20Is and a single ODI for India. In a surprising selection, Siraj was added to the India test team, in October, for the Border Gavaskar Trophy. After being overlooked in the first test, Siraj made it to Player XI for the Boxing Day test and as it developed, the pacemaker did not disappoint.
The 26-year-old claimed figures of 2/40 on Day 1, as Australia sheltered for 195 in the first inning, at MCG. It was Mohammed Shami’s injury that gave way to Siraj in the XI game, but his performance, which has been praised by many, is testament to his determination amid personal tragedy.
India vs Australia, second day of test 1: Summary | Report
Shortly after India landed in Australia, Mohammed Siraj lost his ailing father Mohammed Ghouse on November 20. The right arm walker had heard the news of his father’s death after a practice session in Sydney. Due to quarantine rules in Australia, imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 26-year-old was unable to attend his father’s last rites.
Siraj stayed in Australia to fulfill his father’s lifelong dream: for the pacemaker to play Tests for India. When the dream came true, Siraj’s fiery brother Ismail, who is also the cricketer’s manager, shared his joy on Saturday.
“It was my (late) father’s dream for Siraj to represent India in the trials … he always wanted to see him (Siraj) with the blue and white jersey to represent the nation, so our dream came true today,” Ismail told PTI Hyderabad.
“Since the team was announced yesterday, we knew it was going to debut. We did not sleep all night, we turned on the television from 4 in the morning,” Ismail said.
Siraj, who was eager to go bowling in the first session, received the ball from captain Ajinkya Rahane only after lunch. Ismail revealed that his brother called his mother after the day’s play.
“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 lap started and (the wait) ended,” Ismail said.
“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 revealed.
After Australia was eliminated in 195, India put up 36/1 late in the game on Day 1 in Melbourne with Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara undefeated.
