Mohammed Siraj has kickstarted his Test career with an amazing note. The debutant impressed one and all with his amazing performance in the ongoing 2nd Test of the 4-match series in MCG. Siraj was included in the Indian XI in place of Mohammed Shami, who was injured during the second innings of the Adelaide Test and had fractured his wrist.
While handing over the Test cap to debutant Mohammed Siraj, R Ashwin said a few amazing words for him, that were enough to describe the journey of Siraj. He had said:
“Coming through First-Class grind and India A grind, you have earned this Test cap. You will rally around with the team throughout this Test match,”
He battled personal tragedy, fought adversity and is now rewarded with India’s Test ? no. 298. Congratulations Mohammed Siraj. Go seize the day! #TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/D48TUJ4txp
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 25, 2020
Siraj repaid the trust shown by the team management and skipper Ajinkya Rahane and didn’t take long to make a mark. It was in his eighth over of the game, when he dismissed the dangerous Marnus Labuschagne to put team India on top.
Marnus was batting on 48 runs when Mohammed Siraj bowled a stunning delivery to him that was full and angling into his pads. Marnus smashed the ball for a flick however failed miserably as his shot grounded and Shubman Gill took a stunning diving catch to get rid of Marnus.
Here, watch the video:
A moment Mohammed Siraj will never forget – his first Test wicket! #OhWhatAFeeling @Toyota_Aus | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/1jfPJuidL4
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2020
However, this wasn’t it, he left the cricket fraternity in awe after he dismissed the newcomer Cameron Green.
During the 62nd over of Australia’s innings when the India debutant dismissed Green with a perfect plan. After delivering the first two balls on off stump, Siraj caught the Australia allrounder by surprise with an impressive inswinging delivery.
Here, watch the video:
Out, out, out, in.
Well bowled, Siraj ?
Live #AUSvIND: https://t.co/qwpaGhwHFU pic.twitter.com/uhfP8f38fM
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2020
Meanwhile, social media was flooded with amazing reactions to the amazing performance of Siraj. From cricket experts to fans, everyone is applauding the debutant for playing an instrumental role in restricting Australia at MCG.
Here, check out some of the best tweets on the performance of Mohammed Siraj:
Hau, Toli Chowki waale, aapka potta zabardast bowling karaa aaj….
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 26, 2020
Mohammed Siraj has been very impressive to say the least. #IndvsAus
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) December 26, 2020
Siraj In IPL Siraj In Test Cricket#AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/G9eenJqGD8
— Jethalal (@Jethiya_lal) December 26, 2020
Was thinking this yesterday. This Test will be an excellent exhibition of the merits and limitations of the India A program that Dravid has helped put in place. Siraj has shown it’s worth. Now it’s Gill’s turn. #AUSvIND
— Snehal Pradhan #MaskUp (@SnehalPradhan) December 26, 2020
#AUSvIND
Australia bowled out at 195
Today the Fielding of Indians is outstanding.
Well done Bumrah, Ashwin, Siraj and all. pic.twitter.com/ZCMogaNLOt— Shiv Bahadur Maurya (@ShivBah89376481) December 26, 2020
Lengths bowled by #siraj in his second spell was really good. Now on to batters to get some runs on board @BCCI #INDvsAUS
— Rangarajan (@ranga565) December 26, 2020
Terrific bowling performance by #IndianCricketTeam at ‘G’. Special mention to #Siraj @ashwinravi99 @Jaspritbumrah93 Now it’s upto the batsmen to do the scoring and bring them back into the #BorderGavaskarTrophy series
— Thotla Bharath Kumar (@KumarLeo35) December 26, 2020
It’s been noticeable how often Hanuma Vihari, who captained Mohammad Siraj on his first-class debut for Hyderabad in 2015 & has since led him for India A on a few occasions since, has walked up and had a chat with the debutant today #AUSvIND
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 26, 2020
#AUSvsIND
Siraj made an impressive start to his test career pic.twitter.com/ENANkoOUzl— Sudhanshu Ranjan Singh (@memegineers_) December 26, 2020