MOHAMMED SIRAJ’S FATHER PASSES AWAY; EMOTIONAL CRICKETER OPENS UP ON TRAGIC LOSS

Team India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj's father passed away due to a lung ailment in Hyderabad on Friday. He was 53 years old. Currently, the 26-year-old Siraj, is training with the national team in Sydney, and got the news after returning from the practice session. 

Siraj is in Australia for the upcoming series where he has been selected for the four-match Test series, which is scheduled to start on December 17.

Minutes after the news broke out, Siraj's Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) took to Twitter and offered their heartfelt condolences to the pacer.

"Our heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to Mohammed Siraj & his family, on the loss of his father. The entire RCB family is with you during this difficult time. Stay strong, Miyan," RCB wrote on Twitter.

“My dad’s wish was always this – mera beta, desh ka Naam Roshan Karna (my son, you should make my country proud). And, I will do that for sure. It is shocking. I lost the biggest support of my life. It was his dream to see me play for the country and I am glad that way I could realise that and bring joy for him,” Siraj told Sportstar.

Looking into his IPL 2020 career, the Hyderabad-born pacer played nine matches for RCB in IPL and picked up 11 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 8.68. His best performance in the T20 league was against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), when Siraj picked figures of three for eight from his quota of four overs.

Even during then post the match, Siraj revealed that his father wasn’t feeling well in a video released by RCB. 

“My dad is unwell these days. His lungs are in bad shape so he has difficulty breathing. I am really worried about that. I can’t even go home to meet and motivate him. I talk on the phone but whenever I do, he starts crying. I can’t even talk for longer hours because I don’t like seeing him crying. So I disconnect the phone early because I can’t hold myself for long. So, I pray to God for his good health. He was admitted to the hospital before the last game. I was really concerned that dad was in the hospital,” Siraj said in the video posted by RCB after the KKR game.

Currently, Team India is all set to play three One-Day Internationals, as many Twenty20 Internationals and four Test matches in Australia. The tour will begin with the ODI series that starts from November 27 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.  

Our heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to Mohammed Siraj & his family, on the loss of his father. The entire RCB family is with you during this difficult time. Stay strong, Miyan 🙏🏻

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) November 20, 2020