'All I want to do is fulfill my father's dream' - Mohammed Siraj ahead of Australia Tests

India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has said he is now focussed to fulfill his late father’s wish to represent the country and perform well in the upcoming series against Australia. The last few weeks have been nothing less than a rollercoaster for the Hyderabad pacer. In October, he earned his maiden Test call-up for the forthcoming Border-Gavaskar series Down Under.

But even before he could don the India whites, he lost his ‘biggest supporter’ last week. Siraj’s father Mohammed Ghouse passed away aged 53 on Friday. He was suffering from a lung ailment. Ghouse was also hospitalized when Siraj was busy playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the UAE. The BCCI had given the fast bowler a chance to return home to be with his bereaved family in the tough times.

But Siraj decided to stay in Australia and represent the country in order to make his late father proud. While he is not a part of India’s limited-overs squad, he is a part of the Test team. India are scheduled to play three ODIs, three T20Is and four Tests in Australia. The Test series is scheduled to start on December 17 in Adelaide.

A very big loss for me: Mohammed Siraj

Speaking on bcci.tv, Mohammed Siraj, on Monday, called his father his ‘biggest supporter’ and said that losing him was a big loss for him. He further revealed that his father’s dream was to see him play for India and he is now fully focussed on fulfilling the dream. Siraj also revealed his mother’s motivating message for him ahead of the Australia Tests.

“It is a very big loss for me because he was my biggest supporter. My father’s wish was to see me play for India and make the nation proud. Now, all I want to do is fulfill my father’s dream,” Mohammed Siraj told bcci.tv on Monday.

“Even though my father is no more in this world, he is still with me in my heart. I talked to my mother who reminded me of my father’s dream and encouraged me to perform well for Team India,” he added.

Speaking further, he revealed that the entire Indian team has supported him like a family in these difficult times. He revealed skipper Virat Kohli’s message of staying strong and fulfilling his father’s dream.

“My team members have supported me like a family in this situation. Virat [Kohli] bhai encouraged me and told me to stay strong and fulfill my father’s dream,” the 26-year-old said.