‘The boy has become a man on this tour’: How Siraj snared his maiden fifer at Gabba

India paceman Mohammed Siraj was urged by his captain Virat Kohli and his mom to remain in Australia and push for choice within the Test group relatively than head dwelling to grieve together with his household following the loss of life of his father final month.
On Monday, at a cloudy Gabba, Siraj was rewarded for his robust resolution as he grabbed his maiden fifer.

Siraj snared 5 wickets as Australia was dismissed for 294 late on day 4.
Siraj put down two catches earlier than selecting up the important thing wicket of Steve Smith for 55 within the center session. He additionally chimed in with two wickets in an over to take away Marnus Labuschagne, who scored 25 from 22 balls, and Matthew Wade (0) in the identical over.
“I’m grateful I got this opportunity to play for India and managed a five-for. I wish my father was around to see it,” an emotional Siraj informed throughout a video convention after day’s play.
“It was tough after he passed away. I spoke to my family and gained strength after talking to my mother. My focus was to fulfil my father’s dream of me playing a test match for India,” he added.
Siraj has executed much more than that and can end the collection as India’s most profitable bowler with 13 wickets from three assessments. As he led the aspect off the sector, Siraj obtained a standing ovation from his teammates and was hugged by India’s tempo spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the match with an stomach damage.
Tributes additionally flowed from former gamers for a efficiency that helped to maintain the collection degree at 1-1.

A standing ovation as Mohammed Siraj picks up his maiden 5-wicket haul.#AUSvIND #GroupIndia pic.twitter.com/e0IaVJ3uA8
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 18, 2021

The boy has change into a person on this tour. Siraj, Leader of the assault in his first Test collection and he has led from.the entrance. The manner newcomers have carried out for India on this tour will likely be etched in recollections for a protracted very long time. Will be becoming if they keep the trophy. pic.twitter.com/8bRvMI1iwR
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 18, 2021

Having to toil in firstclass cricket is so vital. It reveals in each, #siraj and #Shardulthakur efficiency. You may bowl spells after spells in check matches if in case you have executed that usually in home cricket. Well executed to each of them!
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 18, 2021

Mohammed Siraj has been so spectacular on this Australian tour . Bowled with a Lot of coronary heart . Congratulations in your First Test 5 wicket haul 🖐 My finest needs for a implausible future forward !
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) January 18, 2021
Brief Scores:
Australia 1st innings: 369 all outIndia 1st innings: 336 all out in 111.4 overs.
Australia 2nd innings: 294 allout in 75.5 overs (Steve Smith 55; Mohammed Siraj 5/73, Shardul Thakur 4/61).India 2nd innings: 4/0 in 1.5 overs (Rohit Sharma 4, Mitchell Starc 4/0).
(With Reuters inputs)