The Deccan charger

Mohammed Siraj scripts a fairy-tale in Australia, but cementing his place in the Test squad will still be a challenge

- RAHUL DEVULAPALLI

Rarely does a single overseas tour showcase different shades of a cricketer’s character at a microscopic level. The Test, ODI and T20 series against Australia did exactly that for Hyderabadi pace bowler Mohammed Siraj. On January 7, while the Indian national anthem was being played at the Sydney Cricket Ground on the first day of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, Siraj got emotional. The video of tears rolling down his cheeks went viral, laying bare before millions of viewers the emotions of the 26-year-old.

A few days before that, when young Australian all-rounder Cameron Green was hit on the head by a Jasprit Bumrah shot during a practice game at the SCG, Siraj was at the non-striker’s end. He immediately dropped his bat and rushed towards the bowler, without even thinking of a run. That video, too, went viral, bringing Siraj’s compassion and sportsmanship to the fore. During the fourth Test match at the Gabba, Siraj showcased his sublime skills with the ball and breached the Aussie citadel, even as he braved racist taunts from the stands. Leading the inexperienced Indian bowling attack, he scalped five wickets in the second innings, setting up the game for India. But the high point of Siraj’s young career came at one of the most difficult phases of his life. He lost his father to a lung ailment while he was away on national duty. Resolute and focused in the face of adversity, he went about playing matches and taking wickets.