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Mohammed Siraj’s Emotional Sacrifice! When He Missed Father's Funeral For Test Debut

Akshita Patel

Mohammed Siraj’s Emotional Sacrifice [Source: @RoshanKrRaii, @Sarfuu24/X.com]Mohammed Siraj’s Emotional Sacrifice [Source: @RoshanKrRaii, @Sarfuu24/X.com]

In one of the most heartbreaking moments in Indian cricket, fast bowler Mohammed Siraj decided to stay back in Australia after losing his father, Mohammed Ghouse, in November 2020. Just 26 at the time, Siraj had travelled to Australia as part of India's Test squad.

Siraj, one of India’s leading pacers, made his Test debut back in 2020 during India’s tour of Australia. He got his maiden Test cap at the Boxing Day Test game between India and Australia played at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). 

However, to fulfil his dream of representing his country at the highest level of cricket came at a price for Siraj. 

When Siraj Stayed Back In Australia After Father’s Death

Due to Covid pandemic guidelines, India travelled to Australia early for the 2020-2021 tour. The series was supposed to begin on November 27 but a week prior, fast bowler Mohammed Siraj’s father, Mohammed Ghouse passed away back in Hyderabad, India.

The 53-year-old died due to a lung ailment and the news of his demise came while the Indian team was in mandatory quarantine on the outskirts of Sydney, having arrived from the UAE post-IPL.

Although the BCCI offered Siraj the option to return to India for the last rites in Hyderabad, he made the emotional decision to stay, citing the strict quarantine rules that would have disrupted both his return and the team’s preparations. 

That being said, Siraj’s perseverance during this period would eventually translate into one of the most inspiring debut stories in Indian cricket, as he went on to make his Test debut during the iconic Border-Gavaskar Trophy that India won with a 2-1 lead.

Siraj’s Test Career So Far

Since his Test debut in 2020, Mohammed Siraj has played 36 Tests for India and scalped 100 wickets, including 3 five-wicket-hauls. His best bowling figure in Test cricket came against South Africa in Cape Town where he bowled a sensational spell of 6 wickets for just 15 runs in 9 overs, helping India bowl the hosts out for 55. With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, Siraj continues to be India’s frontline pacers in Test format.