Virat Kohli gives counsel to Mohammed Siraj following his father’s passing

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The pace bowler Mohammed Siraj, who is currently in Sydney with the Indian team for the upcoming tournament against mighty Australia, has lost his father Mohammed Ghouse on Friday. Ghouse aged only 53 when he breathed his last and died due to a lung ailment. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also issued a press release on Saturday and gave permission to him to return home but the seamer decided to stay with the team in Australia only.

Meanwhile, Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s advice to “be strong” has helped him a lot to stay strong amid this situation as the Team India has been preparing for the upcoming series against Australia.

“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 speedster, Mohammed Siraj told ‘bcci.tv’ on the sidelines of India’s training session in Sydney. “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.”

Siraj’s father used to drive auto-rickshaw and helped Siraj to become a cricketer and has been the biggest influence on him as well. “It’s a huge loss for me as he was the biggest support system of my life. He wanted me to shine for my country and my mindset now is to fulfil his dreams,” he said.

Siraj, however, thanked his teammates, who have supported him in this time. “I am indebted to my teammates as they stood by me in these tough times and every thing was well taken care of,” he said.

My Mother Reminded Me of My Father’s Dream: Mohammed Siraj

Siraj also said that his mother advised him not to miss the series, which starts with the limited-overs series from November 27. “Mom said that ‘everyone has to go one day. Today, it’s your dad, tomorrow it will be me. Just do what your dad wished for you. Play well for India’. May be, he is not physically present but I can feel that he is always there with me,” Siraj said.

Mohammed Siraj last appeared in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the United Arab Emirates for the Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and earned a lot of praise for his show against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) when he claimed three wickets while conceding only eight runs as well.

Although Siraj has played in one ODI and three T20Is for India so far, he has been named in the Test side for the first time as well.

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