How did Mohammed Siraj overcome tragedy to make history for India, new book reveals details

From being a debutant at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the second Test of the series to becoming the spearhead of the attack by the final Test, the story and rise of Mohammed Siraj as a Test bowler has been nothing short of phenomenal. From the tragedies he endured in the tour Down Under to reaching the zenith of his life, Siraj “miyaan” is there to stay for some years. 

He has added a different variety to the Indian bowling line-up and his spell at the Lord's was just a testimony of how good he is at the highest level. An eight wicket-haul at the Home of Cricket was a clear indication that the highs of the Australia tour wasn’t evanescent and this bloke is there to achieve something really big. 

A story of real grit and glory, Mohammed Siraj’s rise to the top is among the several stories in a new book on Indian cricket named ‘Mission Domination: An Unfinished Quest’ co-authored by Boria Majumder and Kushan Sarkar. 

Coming back to the Test match at Lord's, Siraj despite being the most inexperienced pacer in the side delivered for his skipper whenever he was handed the ball. 

With the match meandering towards a draw in the final session of the day, Kohli handed over the ball to Siraj and he delivered with back to back wickets of Moeen Ali and Sam Curran. He then came back to dismiss Jos Buttler and James Anderson to script a historic win for India. 

The Indian team management always knew that Siraj belonged to this level after seeing him grind it out in the Australia tour and leading the pace attack in a matter of two Tests. It was the tour of Australia which could have turned his career in either direction. Having lost his father, Mohammed Ghaus during his stay Down Under, Siraj decided to stay back with the team despite the BCCI offering him to go back and be with his family. 

Siraj always wanted to fulfil his father’s dream and despite losing the pillar of his life, he decided to serve his nation. Siraj had lost his father during the fourteen-day quarantine in Australia and with stringent protocols in place, none of his teammates could even go to his room and console him. They were on video call with him for the major part of the day fearing that he doesn’t harm himself. 

“At the time there were cops outside every room just in case the Indians tried to violate protocol. They were being guarded as prisoners who could export Covid to Australia!"

"As a result, his teammates were on video calls with him all day and were concerned he wouldn't do something drastic or damaging to himself. Only the physio could go to his room to treat him, and Nitin Patel used the window to go and console the young man who was in mourning.”

"Siraj broke down on multiple occasions, which is only natural but never gave up. He was steadfast and resolute. He wanted to fulfil his father's wish of doing his best for India and when the opportunity came his way at the MCG on the huge occasion of the Boxing Day Test, he just did not want to let it go,” an excerpt from the book reads. 

Before his Test debut in the Boxing Day Test, Siraj had got his break in international cricket having played a few white-ball games for the national team. However, he was far from his best and hardly made an impact in those games. Siraj even abused himself and tried to push harder for his maiden Test. 

Having dismissed the likes of Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head while playing for India A, Siraj wanted to replicate that at the highest level. Finishing as the leading wicket-taker for India in the historic Test series win, Siraj became an overnight sensation. 

"In fact, he said to us he was abusing himself for failing and coaxed himself to push harder on debut. 'I was telling myself that I had done nothing worthwhile in the white-ball games. And here are the same batsmen — Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne, who I had bowled to and had success against while playing for India A. Then why couldn't I do so at this stage? I had to. There was no turning back'."

"Siraj did not turn back. 13 wickets later he ended up as India's highest wicket-taker. It was only fitting that his teammates handed him the tricolour during the team's victory march. He was so much more than a cricketer. He was a young boy who had turned into a man in the course of the two months in Australia,” some excerpts from the book further read.