Indian pacer, Mohammed Siraj, who made a memorable debut in a test match in Melbourne, got emotional when the national anthem was played before the start of the third Test match against Australia in Sydney on Thursday.
Before the match kickstarted in the Sydney Cricket Ground on Day 1 of the third Test between India and Australia, Mohammed Siraj stood in the heart of the stadium shoulder-to-shoulder with his teammates as they together sang the national anthem in the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, Siraj broke down.
While singing the national anthem tears started rolling down his cheeks which Siraj casually wiped away. Here, watch the video:
#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/4NK95mVYLN
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 6, 2021
After the match, speaking at the virtual press conference, Mohammed Siraj revealed that it was his father’s wish to see him play in the longest format for India. He revealed that he was thinking about his dad during the National anthem. He revealed:
“I remembered my dad during the national anthem, my dad always wanted me to play Test cricket. If he was there today, he would have seen me playing,”
Mohammed Siraj on why he got so emotional while the National Anthem was being played at the SCG.#TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/zo0Wc8h14A
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 7, 2021
Talking about his performance in the day, Mohammed Siraj continued with his brilliance as he was exceptional with the ball just like how he was in his debut test match in Melbourne. Siraj successfully managed to get better of David Warner in the ongoing game as well.
Siraj got rid of David Warner for just 5 runs. David Warner chased a wide delivery from Mohammed Siraj and ended up edging it to the slip, where Cheteshwar Pujara took a brilliant catch.
Siraj could have got another wicket on the first day had India’s wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant hadn’t missed the catch. It happened in the last ball of the 25th over bowled by Mohammed Siraj, Pucovski got a glove to a short ball and it lobbed behind Rishabh Pant. He ran back, dived, and grabbed the ball, however, it popped off and touched the ground.