Mohammad Siraj has gone on to become a key figure in India’s test team with his impressive bowling, particularly in overseas conditions. Although he did not have a very successful Indian T20 League season, he is still considered one of the best in Tests. The Hyderabad born seamer is still 28 and has ample time to improve further.
Beating Australia in their own backyard would probably be the highlight of his career so far and the right arm pacer would hope to bring out similar performances frequently. Despite finally reaching a rather successful place, his journey has not been a bed of roses.
“It was really tough for me. My dad was ill during the IPL too. But family members hadn’t told me that the matter was serious. I got to know about his condition when I landed in Australia. There was Covid-19 protocol as well. We had to quarantine. When we had our practice, I got to know about dad’s death.”
The RCB bowler hails his mother as a steady support and owes everything to her. “My mother made me strong during that period. She told me, ‘Fulfil your dad’s dream and make your country proud. This was my only motivation. I didn’t even know if I will get a chance to play. There were senior bowlers in the team.” recalled Siraj while speaking at the trailer launch event of ‘Bandon mein tha dum‘, a web series coming on Voot.
Siraj recalls that playing for the first time in the national team was incredibly emotional for him, “I finally got an opportunity in the second Test, When I wore my cap in Melbourne, I thought ‘dad should’ve been here. After Mohammad Shami got injured, I got a chance to play for India.”
Currently, Siraj is not included in the T20 series against South Africa but has kept his place in the Indian Test team for the rescheduled Test match next month.
