Mohammed Siraj in tears during India national anthem, Twitter lauds Hyderabadi pacer
Rajkot: Hyderabadi speedster Mohammed Siraj earned his first national call-up as India took on New Zealand in the second T20I at the Saurashtra Cricket Association in Rajkot on Sunday.
As the two teams took the field for the national anthem, it was a proud moment for Siraj, who got into the team as a direct replacement for Ashish Nehra, with the veteran having announced his retirement after India’s first T20 win in Delhi.
However, the 23-year-old failed to hold back his tears at the end of the national anthem ceremony.
— Cricket Videos (@CricketKaVideos) November 4, 2017
Twitterati hailed the young pacer for his commitment and respect towards the national team.
Mohammed Siraj story is the classic rags to riches story. A humble beginning. A sporting talent. Luck. Life altering opportunity.
— Rashi Kakkar (@rashi_kakkar) November 4, 2017
Son of auto driver Mohammed Siraj playing his first game for India. #NationalAthem plays in the stadium. Tears in his eyes. What a moment!
— Common Sense (@CommonSense___) November 4, 2017
When Nation is debating whether to stand for national anthem or not?
— Boring... (@graphicalcomic) November 4, 2017
Tears in Mohammed Siraj eyes shows how true patriotic feels!#INDvNZ
Already made a mark, tears in the eyes....love for nation and anthem
— Yadav जी (@Ankesh_Drohi) November 4, 2017
Best of Luck "Mohammed Siraj"
The national anthem gave tears to Mohammed Siraj. No hate-monger can take this moment away from him. Dil bole INDIA.#INDVSNZ
— Idle (@IdleSid) November 4, 2017
Mohammed Siraj having tears in his eyes during National Anthem shows what it means for him to play for country.
— Boring... (@graphicalcomic) November 4, 2017
Respect for you!!#INDvNZ
Mohammed Siraj had tears in his eyes after the national anthem. What a huge moment for him, realising his dream of playing for 🇮🇳#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/q6fhZ8zbyq
— Chinmay JawalekarðŸ (@CricfreakTweets) November 4, 2017
Siraj first made the headlines when he was racked up by IPL franchisee SunRisers Hyderabad during the 2017 IPL auctions, who splashed a mind-boggling Rs 2.6 crore for his services. Despite featuring in only six matches, the bowler claimed ten wickets to his name.
He went on to have a fruitful stint with the India A team with matches against South Africa A and New Zealand, claiming seven wickets.
Hailing from a humble background, Siraj’s story is yet another famous example of the rags to riches in cricket. The right-arm pacer faced financial difficulties early on during his career, with his father Mohammed Ghaus, known to be earning a living as an auto rickshaw driver.
