Australia vs India: Mohammed Siraj in tears during national anthem before Sydney Test

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has had a memorable campaign in the ongoing tour of Australia. He wasn’t Team India’s first-choice speedster for the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy, but lady luck smiled on him. Mohammed Shami was ruled out of the last three Tests with a fractured forearm and the 26-year-old Siraj got his chance in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

He didn’t flatter to deceive by any stretch of the imagination. He opened his wickets’ tally in Test cricket, dismissing Marnus Labuschagne and then got rid of Cameron Green in the first innings. In the second innings, he got the wickets of Travis Head, Green and Nathan Lyon. His spell of bowling helped India restrict the Aussies to a mere score of 200 and therefore win by eight wickets.

Mohammed Siraj gets emotional

Siraj retained his place for the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It didn’t spring a surprise especially after how he performed in the MCG Test. The fact that he’s taking part in the series after his father passed away makes his performances look even more glorious. In the meantime, before the Sydney Test got underway, the Hyderabad-born Siraj got a tad emotional.

During the customary national anthems prior to the game, which started on Thursday, January 7, Siraj was seen in tears. He was seen wiping his eyes as found it tough to control his emotions. Jasprit Bumrah, who was standing beside him, asked him and Siraj replied with a smile.

Here’s the video: –

Very touching #siraj during national anthem 3rd Test match. 🙏👍 #TestCricket ⁦@imVkohli⁩ #INDvsAUSTest pic.twitter.com/6nMgYzYw25

— HP (@heman_12) January 6, 2021

As far as the Sydney Test is concerned, the Aussies opted to bat first after winning the toss. The hosts changed their opening duo and opted for Will Pucovski and David Warner. Matthew Wade was pushed down to the middle-order. But in the third over of the day’s play, Siraj came to the party and he got rid of Warner, who has grown up playing cricket in Sydney.

Warner perished after scoring only five runs off nine balls. But in the seventh over, the heavens opened up and halted play. When rain interrupted play, Pucovski was batting on 14 and along with him was Marnus Labuschagne.