Auto rickshaw driver's son Siraj's family proud after Team India selection

"Since Siraj informed us about his selection for Team India, the entire household has been buzzing. It is just like Eid at the moment," shared a jubilant Mohammad Ghouse, father of Sunrisers Hyderabad seamer Mohammed Siraj. Siraj and Mumbai's Shreyas Iyer were the new faces who were added to the Indian team yesterday by the senior selection committee at the BCCI headquarters.

Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj left his parents speechless when he called up his home in Hyderabad to inform them about his selection in the Indian T20 team for the New Zealand series. "After my practice session, I called up my father (Mohammad Ghouse, who used to drive autorickshaw) and elder brother (Mohd Iliyas), who were at home. When I told them about my selection in the Indian team. My father was speechless.

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Unbelievable
"He just couldn't stop crying. He asked me twice if it was for the Indian team or the India 'A' team. Unko yakeen hi nahi ho raha tha (he just couldn't believe it). I had to explain it to him. "Later on, he told me, 'beta aapne hamara nam roshan kar diya' (you made us proud, son)," Siraj told mid-day from Shimoga where he is practising with the Hyderabad team for their Ranji Trophy encounter against Karnataka.

All set for Delhi?
Siraj's elder brother is planning a family trip to New Delhi to watch him in India colours. "It will be the biggest day of our lives when he debuts for the Indian team," he said. Siraj was flooded with congratulatory messages from his cricketing mates and senior players like David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan, VVS Laxman and Tom Moody. "They all wished me well and advised to stay focused," he said.

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