Amongst many who gathered to catch a glimpse of India’s Oval Take a look at hero Mohammed Siraj on the Rajiv Gandhi Worldwide airport in Hyderabad was a child with dreamy eyes. When Siraj landed in his hometown on Wednesday morning and made his method out of the airport, enthusiastic followers made a beeline to welcome him. However the boy with a light-weight denim shirt was unmissable.
He in some way managed to get near Siraj, dodging all of the microphones and cameras hungry for the quick bowler’s response. Siraj, nonetheless trying contemporary regardless of taking part in all 5 Checks and dispensing 185.3 overs to choose up probably the most wickets (23) within the sequence, was understandably in no temper to speak to cameras.
Siraj swiftly received inside his automotive at the same time as microphones saved asking questions. Amid all this, the boy stood there with dreamy eyes, hoping to satisfy Siraj. He held the door of Siraj’s automotive and knocked on the window to draw the cricketer’s consideration. However to his disappointment, Siraj was busy attending a cellphone name and couldn’t see the child.
The boy’s disappointment was evident. He had most likely waited for hours simply to satisfy Siraj, however sadly, it didn’t occur on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old quick bowler landed at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Worldwide Airport within the morning, accompanied by Staff India’s fielding coach T Dilip, earlier than catching a connecting flight to Hyderabad.
Wearing black casuals, Siraj saved a low profile however was greeted by a small group of enthusiastic followers in Mumbai, requesting selfies and autographs. He acknowledged them briefly earlier than heading for the home terminal.
“We’ve got not spoken to him but. However we will definitely plan one thing for him, as he may very well be within the metropolis for some time now,” a Hyderabad Cricket Affiliation (HCA) official informed PTI. “It’s a matter of satisfaction for all of us that he did so properly for the nation within the sequence towards England.”
Siraj’s nine-wicket haul within the last Take a look at—together with a decisive five-wicket spell on the final day—helped India bowl England out for 367 whereas defending a goal of 374. The win, secured by simply six runs, is India’s narrowest victory margin in Take a look at historical past and helped the crew draw the five-match sequence 2-2.
India captain Shubman Gill lauded Siraj’s efforts after the sport. “He’s a captain’s dream. Each ball, each spell he bowled, he got here all out and gave it the whole lot for the crew,” Gill mentioned.
Siraj, who stepped up within the absence of tempo spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, mentioned he by no means misplaced perception through the tense last day.
“I at all times consider that I can win the sport from any level, and this morning was no totally different,” Siraj mentioned after the match.
His stellar efficiency not solely earned widespread reward from followers and pundits alike but additionally led England head coach Brendon McCullum to call him Participant of the Collection from India’s facet—switching from an earlier selection of Shubman Gill in mild of Siraj’s final-day heroics.
Siraj is predicted to spend time in Hyderabad earlier than rejoining the nationwide setup for upcoming assignments. The HCA is reportedly contemplating a public felicitation to honour his contribution to considered one of India’s most memorable abroad comebacks.
