The Boy Has Become A Man On This Tour: Virender Sehwag Heaps High Praise On Mohammed Siraj Following His Maiden Five-Wicket-Haul

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has heaped high praise on Mohammed Siraj for the manner in which he matured into becoming the leader of the pace attack in just his third Test in the absence of established pacers after the latter claimed his maiden five-wicket haul at the Gabba on Monday.

Mohammed Siraj has been one of the biggest finds for Team India in this series. The fast bowler made his debut in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after Mohammed Shami was ruled out due to injury.

Siraj showed brilliant control, temperaments apart from his obvious skills to provide able support to Jasprit Bumrah. He was once again subjected to a test of character when Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the Brisbane Test due to injury, meaning that in just his third Test, he was primed with the task of spearheading the inexperienced bowling attack.

And, on Monday, Mohammed Siraj proved just why he was entrusted with the responsibility as he claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in Test match cricket.

It was a fitting reward for someone who has endured so much mental agony in the past three months due to the loss of his father and the racial slurs he was subjected to, during the third Test.

Sehwag described Siraj as someone who transformed from a boy into a man during the course of the tour.

A standing ovation as Mohammed Siraj picks up his maiden 5-wicket haul.#AUSvIND #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/e0IaVJ3uA8

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 18, 2021

He also hailed the other Indian youngsters like Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, T Natarajan for the way they stood up to the challenge.

The former opener further hoped that given how Indian youngsters have stepped-up, it will be fitting if they end-up retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

“The boy has become a man on this tour. Siraj, Leader of the attack in his first Test series and he has led from.the front. The way newcomers have performed for India on this tour will be etched in memories for a long long time. Will be fitting if they retain the trophy.

The boy has become a man on this tour. Siraj, Leader of the attack in his first Test series and he has led from.the front. The way newcomers have performed for India on this tour will be etched in memories for a long long time. Will be fitting if they retain the trophy. pic.twitter.com/8bRvMI1iwR

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 18, 2021

As far as the match is concerned, India will need to bat out the entire fifth day or get past the target of 328 to ensure that they retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Also Read: How A Telephonic Conversation With His Mother Inspired Mohammed Siraj To Fulfill His Father’s Dream