'Mera career Virat bhaiya ke wajah se hai' - Mohammed Siraj reveals how Virat Kohli has backed him throughout his career

Mohammed Siraj is living a fairytale since the India tour of Australia. The right-arm pacer has gone from strength to strength and has successfully established himself as one of the important members of Indian Test team. Siraj made his debut for India in the second Test of the four-match series against Australia and since then there has been no looking back for the pace merchant.

Injuries to India’s main pacers resulted in Siraj playing three Test matches against Australia. He perfectly repaid the faith of the team management as he ended up as the highest wicket-taker for India with 13 wickets. The right-hander carried his blistering form in the now-postponed 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) too as he led the pace attack for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

However, Siraj didn’t have it easy as just after a few days after he landed in Australia, he received the news of his father passing away. The personal loss completely shattered the seamer but he made a tough decision of staying with the Indian team rather than coming back to India to be with his family.

Speaking about the difficult phase, Siraj revealed that he used to cry in his hotel room but it was Indian skipper Virat Kohli who stood by him and was always there to motivate him. The 27-year-old reckoned that Kohli made his career as he was always there to support him and back him in his lean patch.

It was Virat bhaiya who gave me strength and support: Mohammed Siraj

Speaking to timesofindia.com, Siraj recalled, “He (Virat) has supported me through thick and thin. He has always been there for me and in all circumstances. I still remember how I was crying in the hotel room. Virat bhaiya came into my room and hugged me tightly and said – ‘I am with you, don’t worry.’ 

“Those words encouraged me a lot. He (Virat) played just one Test on the tour but his messages and calls motivated me. And that’s why I could perform. In fact, I didn’t have a good season with RCB in the past two years. But he (Virat) was always there to support me. He has backed me a lot.” 

Siraj further credited Virat for making whatever he is in his life today. “I had lost my father during the Australia series. I was shattered and not really in my senses. It was Virat bhaiya who gave me strength and support. Mera career Virat bhaiya ke wajah se hai (I owe my career to Virat),” the right-arm pacer added.

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