SYDNEY, Nov 23:
Away from family while grieving the recent loss of his father, Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj says skipper Virat Kohli’s advice to “be strong” has helped him stay afloat as he gears up for a gruelling series against Australia.
Kohli is no stranger to overcoming personal tragedy while carrying on with professional duties. In 2007, Kohli, then a teenager, lost his father in the middle of a Ranji Trophy match but he came back next day to score 97 for Delhi, showing his mental fortitude.
Siraj’s father Mohammed Ghouse, 53, died due to a lung ailment in Hyderabad last week and despite BCCI offering him the option to return home, the fast bowler decided to stay put on national duty.
“Virat bhai said ‘Miyaan tension maat le (don’t be tense) and be strong. Your dad wanted you to play for India. So, do that and don’t stress,” the 26-year-old Siraj told ‘bcci.Tv’ on the sidelines of India’s training session here.
“The skipper told me, ‘If you can be strong in this situation, it will only help you’. So those were positive words from the Indian captain and it felt nice.” (PTI)
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