Team India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj lost his father due to a lung ailment on Friday(20/11/2020). Siraj’s father Mohammed Ghousen dies at 53.
Mohammed Siraj lost his father
After a successful IPL comeback, Siraj has named to play for India in Australia’s tour. The 26-year-old Siraj, who is training with the national team in Sydney’s Blacktown Oval, heard the news after returning from the practice session.
“My dad’s wish was always this – mera beta, desh ka naam roshan karna (my son, you should make my country proud). And, I will do that for sure,” said the fast bowler, who had lost his elder brother when he was just seven.
“I know what kind of hardship my dad faced in my early days driving an auto-rickshaw to let me pursue my passion for the game,” said Siraj, who climbed up through the ranks from the bylanes of Toli Chowki.
“It is shocking. I lost the biggest support of my life. It was his dream to see me play for the country and I am glad that way I could realise that and bring joy for him,” a distraught Siraj informed.
“The coach Shastri Sir and captain Virat Kohli were informed about the news. They just told me to be bold and are lending all the support,” Siraj said.
With quarantine rules in place, Siraj will not be able to travel to India for the last rites.
RCB posts heartfelt tweet for Mohammed Siraj
Royal Challengers Bangalore, the franchise that Mohammed Siraj represented during IPL 2020, also put out a heartfelt tweet. “Our heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to Mohammed Siraj & his family, on the loss of his father. The entire RCB family is with you during this difficult time. Stay strong, Miyan,” the franchise tweeted.
Our heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to Mohammed Siraj & his family, on the loss of his father. The entire RCB family is with you during this difficult time. Stay strong, Miyan 🙏🏻
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) November 20, 2020
Mohammed Siraj path to Team India
After a stunning 2016-2017 Ranji Trophy season finish with 41 wickets, Siraj bagged the IPL cap for Sunrisers Hyderabad at Rs 2.6 crores.
In 2017/18, Mohammed Siraj topped the bowling charts with 23 wickets in seven games in the Vijay Hazare Trophy after being released by Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018. The exploits in the Vijay Hazare Trophy helped find a new home and that was Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore.
In the game against KKR, Siraj delivered the spell of the ages that silenced all the years of criticism. Siraj became the first bowler in IPL history to bowl two maiden overs and he ended with figures of 4-2-8-3.
