As the Indian national anthem played ahead of the third Test Match of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, fast bowler Mohammed Siraj turned emotional on Thursday.
Tears rolled down the 26-year-old pacer's cheeks; he wiped them off, but the moment was captured on camera.
The video of the incident was tweeted by Cricket Australia.
✊ #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/4NK95mVYLN
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 6, 2021
It has been an emotional series for Siraj so far, as his father died just two months ago due to a lung ailment. But the pacer decided to stay out of the country and not head home for the funeral.
Soon after his father’s death, in a short interview, the pacer said that he would want to continue playing for India as this was his father’s dream.
A lot of cricket lovers have reacted to this video. One of the fans tweeted, “Very touching." Another fan tweeted, "There is no love greater than the love of the nation."
Very touching #siraj during national anthem 3rd Test match. 🙏👍 #TestCricket @imVkohli #INDvsAUSTest pic.twitter.com/6nMgYzYw25
— HP (@heman_12) January 6, 2021
There is no love greater than the love of the nation,when the #NationalAnthem is played,that moment becomes emotional & tears fill in the eyes with joy&show the love that's Why#Siraj in tears during the National Anthem.
— Nikita Malviya🇮🇳 (@NkMalviya10) January 7, 2021
This shows the love & respect towards our country.#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/3VE7zFoIDz
Mohammed Siraj gets emotional during national Anthem at SCG. Siraj Your father is watching you and he is very proud. #AUSvIND 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/WMDj5WyoB4
— Priyank (@dypriyank) January 7, 2021
Mohammed Siraj in tears during the national anthem 🇮🇳
— Cricket Bakwas (@Cricketbakwaas) January 6, 2021
A small town boy living his dream of playing for his country 💪🏻
Passion & Emotion 🔥#SydneyTest #siraj #india #australia #ausvsind #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/DGZWl4dvck
Mohammed Siraj's tears swelling up and falling over for the Indian national anthem is already my moment of the day. #AUSvIND
— Ananthasubramanian (@_chinmusic) January 6, 2021
Siraj made his Test debut in the second Test match at Melbourne. He replaced injured Mohammed Shami in the Indian Test squad which is touring Australia at the moment.
The Indian cricket team arrived for the third Test at Sydney after a resounding 8-wicket victory at the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. While Australia have won the ODI series, India came on top in the T20Is and after the first two Tests, the scores are tied 1-1.
