‘He fulfilled our late father’s dream’ – Mohammed Siraj’s brother Ismail after the Hyderabad pacer makes Test debut

Back in November, Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj’s father passed away due to a lung ailment, but the pacer stayed back in Australia for national duty. His strong-minded approach paid dividends as he made his Test debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after Mohammed Shami was ruled out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to a fractured arm.

After he forayed into the purest format, Siraj’s brother Ismail’s joy knew no bounds. The latter mentioned that by donning the whites for Team India, Siraj fulfilled their late father’s wish. The family was excited to the extent that they put their sleep aside to watch their beloved play for the national team.

It was a proud moment for us, says Mohammed Siraj’s brother

“It was my (late) father’s dream that Siraj should represent India in Tests … he always wanted to see him (Siraj) in blue and white jersey to represent the nation, so our dream got fulfilled today,” Ismail was quoted as saying in Times Now.

“Since the team was announced yesterday, we knew that he was going to make debut. We did not sleep the entire night, we switched on TV from 4 am,” he stated.

Siraj didn’t bowl in the first session of the opening day in the Boxing Day Test. However, in the second session, not only did he hit Marnus Labuschagne on the helmet but also got his prized wicket. Siraj also got rid of Cameron Green and ended with a spell of 15-4-40-2.

Ismail said how his family waited in anticipation for the pacer to bowl. After the day’s play, Ismail caught up with Siraj through messages.

“We were waiting eagerly when he will bowl … intezaar badhte jaa raha tha (our wait was getting longer) … but after the lunch break, he started the first over and (the wait) ended,” Ismail quipped.

“It was a proud moment for us. I chatted with him through messages, I did not disturb him much as he was tired and there is again play tomorrow. However, he called up Ammi (mother),” he added.

Siraj’s efforts didn’t go in vain as India bowled the Aussies out for 195 in their first innings. It remains to be seen if Siraj manages to replicate something similar in the second innings.