Siraj picked up two wickets in the first innings of Boxing Day Test at MCG.
Mohammed Siraj made his Test debut for India in the Boxing Day match against Australia on Saturday (Dec 26). It was a special moment for the 26-year-old to receive his Test cap, but unfortunately his father Mohammed Ghaus couldn't witness it.
Ghaus had passed away on November 20 while Siraj was on the Australia tour. He decided to stay with the team and missed his father's last rites. His brother Ismail said the India pacer fulfilled the dream of his father by featuring in the Test side.
"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 told PTI from Hyderabad.
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Siraj was handed over the Test cap by teammate R Ashwin and family members were up at 4 AM IST to watch the moment which made them proud.
"Since the team was announced yesterday, we knew that he was going to make his debut. We did not sleep the entire night, we switched on TV from 4 am,” said Ismail, who works as Siraj's manager.
Siraj wasn't given the ball in the first session of day one and his family members were getting eager to see him bowl.
"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 said. "It was a proud moment for us," he added.
The speedster made a good debut by picking up two wickets in the first innings. He dismissed Marnus Labuschagne and Cameroon Green which helped India bundle out Australia on 195 runs.
Ismail revealed Siraj had a phone call with his mother after the first day's play. “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 said.
(With PTI Inputs)