The Indian fast bowler, Mohammed Siraj went through an emotional roller-coaster in the last few months. First, he got his maiden Test call-up for India then, he was devastated by the news of his father’s death. However, he was encouraged by both his family and the team to fulfill his late father’s dream of seeing him play Test cricket. Siraj finished the series as India’s highest wicket-taker for India with a tally of 13 scalps, and on Thursday, he revealed that each one of those 13 wickets was dedicated to his father.
Talking about the same during a chat with the reporters, Mohammed Siraj, “I dedicated every wicket to my father. My celebration with Mayank Agarwal was a dedication to dad. Firstly, my father’s death was very difficult for me and I was quite depressed. But I spoke with my family and they told me to fulfill my father’s dream. My fiancee also played a big role, as she always backed me and kept motivating me. The team also gave me a lot of support.”
Siraj on Thursday said that he would be forever indebted to the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore and skipper Virat Kohli for always believing in him.
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Describing the same, Mohammed Siraj said, “The trust that RCB and Virat Bhai have shown in me. RCB backed me throughout, I had a terrible season in 2018, but still, they retained me. I will take the confidence from this series to the next against England. Whatever team management decides, I will do just that. I am not thinking what will happen when (Mohammad) Shami and Umesh (Yadav) return.”
Commenting on bowling with Jasprit Bumrah in the Melbourne and Sydney Tests, Siraj said: “Bumrah kept supporting me from the other end. I played two matches with him, he supported me throughout. I bowled a bad spell in the fourth Test, Bumrah bhai told me not to focus on that and be prepared for the next spell. After taking a five-wicket haul, I just hugged Bumrah bhai.”
Siraj made his international debut during the MCG Test against Australia. He had made his way into the side as spearhead Mohammad Shami got injured in the first Test at Adelaide.
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On Tuesday, Australia’s fortress — The Gabba — was finally breached by the Indian team. It took 32 years and two months, but the unthinkable was achieved as an injury-ravaged young Indian team managed to register a win over Australia by three wickets against all odds to take the series 2-1.
