BCCI Issues Statement After Mohammed Siraj’s Father Passed Away - Report     

A day after Team India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj’s father passed away, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued an official statement on the same.

Siraj’s father, Mohammed Ghouse, passed away on Friday at the age of 53 due to a lung ailment. A day after the tragic news, the BCCI informed that Siraj was offered the option of flying back home for his father’s final rites, but Siraj opted to stay back.  

“Team India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj lost his father on Friday after a brief illness. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had a discussion with Siraj and he was offered the option of flying back and be with his family in this hour of grief,” the BCCI said.

“The fast bowler has decided to stay with the Indian contingent and continue performing his national duties. The BCCI shares his grief and will be supportive of Siraj in this extremely challenging phase. The BCCI requests the media to accord Siraj and his bereaved family members their space and privacy," BCCI added. 

Meanwhile, BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly showed courage and lauded Siraj for his strength. He also called him a ‘tremendous character’ for opting to stay back and prioritise national duty. “May Mohammed Siraj have a lot of strength to overcome this loss… lots of good wishes for his success in this trip… tremendous character,” Ganguly tweeted.

Siraj was picked for Team India after his campaign in IPL 2020, where the fast bowler played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and took 11 wickets from nine matches.  Also during Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) match, Siraj created history by becoming the first bowler ever in the IPL to bowl two maidens in the same match and finished with 3/8 from four overs. 

Team India is all set to lock horns with Australia in the ODI series that begins from November 27. The first Test of the four-match series will begin on December 17.