I went there to sit with my dad for some time: Mohammed Siraj on his first deed upon returning from Oz

The life of a professional cricketer, eh? Looking at the bright lights can sometimes be blinding to the realities they go through; even more so in the era of bio-bubbles. Take, for instance, Mohammed Siraj, who for seven months could not spend time at home despite all the turmoil.

Losing your father while on tour, then being subjected to racial abuse on the field, all while not being able to get away from the confines of a bio-secure environment which makes no allowances to enter and exit at will, and yet being one of the key protagonists of a memorable series win, picking up 13 wickets Down Under is the stuff of champions.

Siraj returned home with the rest of the team from Australia on Thursday. Siraj decided to visit his father’s grave instead. "I didn't go home, directly. I went to the graveyard straight from the airport, I went there to sit with my dad for some time. I couldn't speak to him but offered flowers to his grave," Siraj said.

Returning home after months of time away is always emotional, and it was no different for Siraj and his mother. "And then I came home. When I met my mom, she started crying. Then I tried to console her, telling her not to cry. It was a different feeling. After 6-7 months, her son had come home. Mom was always waiting for me to return. She was counting down how many days were left for me to return,” added India’s highest wicket-taker of the Border-Gavaskar series 2020/21.

[India Today inputs]