India pacer Mohammed Siraj went straight to his father's grave as soon as he landed in India after a series win against Australia. Siraj's father Mohammed Ghouse had passed away before the Test series. 

Siraj, who stayed with the team for the series, drove to the graveyard in Kairatabad from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. It was a tough time for the Indian cricketer while staying away from his family in the time of grief, but he did well to keep his emotions aside and perform for his team.

Whenever Siraj picked up a wicket, he looked at the sky remembering his father who wanted to see him playing for India in Test. He also bagged a five-wicket haul, his first-ever, in the last Test of the four-match series.

On Thursday (January 21), Siraj laid flowers on his father's grave and offered prayers. He spent some time at the grave before going to his home in Al-Hasnath Colony, Toli Chowki.

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"Siraj arrived around 9 in the morning and from there he went straight to the graveyard. His father would have been very proud to see Siraj do so exceedingly well in Test cricket, especially against the Australians on their home ground. Siraj would have been happier if he had been able to hug his father on his return and share his success stories but destiny seems to have other plans," said Siraj's closest friend Mohammed Shafi, who had accompanied him to the graveyard.

Siraj's father, 53, had died because of a lung ailment on November 20. The cricketer revealed he had talked to his mother who told him to stay with the team and fulfill his father's dream. 

"I lost the biggest supporter of my life. He was the person who supported me the most in my pursuit of a cricket career. It's a great loss for me," Siraj had said. "Even though he is not in the world, he'll always be with me," he added.

Siraj, playing three Test matches on the tour, picked up 13 wickets at an average of 29.54. He was the highest wicket-taker for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21, and third-highest wicket-taker overall. 

(With Times of India Inputs)