In late November 2020, Mohammed Siraj, a promising fast bowler for the Indian cricket team, received devastating news while on tour in Australia: his father, Mohammed Ghaus, had passed away after a brief illness. This came as a profound shock, leaving him "shattered" and in a "traumatic state," as he was thousands of miles away from home, preparing for his first Test series.
The global pandemic added layers of complexity to his grief. Strict COVID-19 protocols and bio-bubble restrictions were in place, preventing him from traveling back to India to attend his father's funeral. Quarantine rules also meant that he was largely confined to his room, with limited physical contact with his teammates. As Bharat Arun, the then-India bowling coach, explained, it was a "five-star jail" situation, where even offering a comforting hand on the shoulder was impossible.
Siraj was offered the option to return home by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). However, he made the courageous decision to stay with the Indian team and continue his national duty. Speaking on the RCB Podcast, Siraj recalled his father's dream of seeing him play Test cricket and how close he was to achieving it. He felt that staying in Australia and fulfilling his father's dream was the best way to honor him.
Despite the emotional turmoil, Siraj went to training the day after receiving the news. He found support and encouragement from the then-head coach, Ravi Shastri, who told him that he had his father's blessing and would take a five-wicket haul. Former India fielding coach R Sridhar also provided support by checking in on him regularly. Siraj also spoke with his fiancee over the phone, but admitted that he would often cry alone in his room.
Siraj's resilience and dedication shone through as the series progressed. He made his Test debut in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne. Despite the pressure and grief, he delivered an impressive performance, picking up five wickets in the match. As the series went on, injuries to key players thrust Siraj into a leadership role in the pace attack. He rose to the occasion, becoming India's highest wicket-taker in the series with 13 scalps. His match-winning five-wicket haul in the final Test at Brisbane helped India secure a historic 2-1 series victory, breaching Australia's 32-year unbeaten run at the Gabba.
Reflecting on that difficult time, Siraj said that his father took great pride and joy in seeing him work hard. He always wanted to perform in front of his father, and while that dream came true, he wished he could have done it more. Siraj's journey is a testament to his mental strength, determination, and the importance of family. He not only coped with immense personal loss but also emerged as a key player in India's historic Test series win in Australia.
