Cricketer Mohammed Siraj paid tribute to his late father at a graveyard in Hyderabad on Thursday, ANI reported.

Siraj’s father passed away in November last year while the former was in Australia, playing for the Indian cricket team at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series.

Hailing from a humble background in Hyderabad, Siraj aced the bowling charts in his debut in Australia, taking 13 wickets in 3 Tests matches. His outstanding performance during the series has garnered praise and appreciation from fans both in the country and across the world.

The bowler’s maiden five-wicket streak in the second innings during the nail-biting match at the Gabba in Brisbane led India beat Australia 2-1 in the series, and win the coveted Border-Gavasker Trophy. His grit and steady determination enabled the Indian cricket team to breach the fortress at Gabba for the first time in 32 years. 

Post the series, Siraj became the fifth Indian bowler to pick up five wickets in an innings at Gabba, and topped the list of Indian bowlers with the most wickets in the Border-Gavaskar series.

When Siraj was given the option to fly back to India at the time of his father’s death, he chose to stay in Australia and continue the tour.

“He was the person who supported me the most. It’s a great loss for me. He wished that I continue playing for India and make my country proud. I just want to fulfil my father’s dream,” he had told BCCI.