Indian fast-bowling sensation Mohammed Siraj has a fairy-tale beginning of his Test career and is flying high at the moment. However, as they say, it was darkest before dawn. Similarly, Siraj was going through immense grief prior to his Test debut as he lost his father.
Mohammed Ghaus was suffering a long illness and died on November 20. Siraj was selected for the Australia tour and was only one week into his 14-day quarantine upon landing in Australia. Due to pandemics and all the covid-19 restrictions, he couldn’t go back home to lay his father on eternal rest.
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Senior sports journalists Kushan Sarkar and Boria Majumdar wrote a book ‘Indian Cricket – Mission Domination: An Unfinished Quest’. They have revealed several things about India’s series in Australia.
According to the book, there were cops outside the rooms of Indian players to ensure no quarantine breach by Indians. Siraj was still in quarantine when he heard about the demise of his father and his teammates were unable to console him during that tough time. Players opted for video calls to stay connected with him.
“Siraj had lost his father during the statutory period of 14 days hard quarantine in Australia in November. What this meant was that none of his teammates could even go to his room to give him a shoulder to cry on,” the excerpt from the book read according to News18.
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“At the time there were cops outside every room just in case the Indians tried to violate protocol. They were being guarded as prisoners who could export Covid to Australia! As a result, his teammates were on video calls with him all day and were concerned he wouldn’t do something drastic or damaging to himself.”
However, team physio Nitin Menon was allowed to visit players inside their rooms. He made sure there was someone with Siraj to console. Menon mentioned he broke down multiple times during those meets.
“Only the physio could go to his room to treat him, and Nitin Patel used the window to go and console the young man who was in mourning. Siraj broke down on multiple occasions, which is only natural but never gave up. He was steadfast and resolute. He wanted to fulfil his father’s wish of doing his best for India and when the opportunity came his way at the MCG on the huge occasion of the Boxing Day Test, he just did not want to let it go,” the excerpt further read.
