Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj has become a fan favourite ever since his heroics during India's historic tour to Australia last month. Siraj, who went through a whirlwind of emotions during the tour - from losing his father to staying back for fulfilling his dream, to making Test debut and facing racial abuse to achieving his maiden five-wicket haul after becoming the leader of the attack in just his third Test, Siraj was the story of the Border-Gavaskar series.
The loveable Hyderabad pacer was involved in another heartwarming incident on Monday, in the second innings of India's batting against England. Siraj was on the other end, when off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was on the cusp of getting his 5th Test century.
Siraj celebrating Ashwin's 100 pic.twitter.com/deibbHi2ey
— #Maara (@QuickWristSpin) February 15, 2021
The moment Ashwin hit the ball over the slips and towards the boundary, Siraj, while running punched the air in delight several times and smiled so wide that it looked like he had got the century. The delight on his face won the hearts of not just millions of cricket fans but also other cricketers as well.
Ashwin achieved his 5th Test century, reaching a three-figure mark in the format after a long gap of almost 5 years with a boundary as his innings helped India reach a strong total of 286 runs and give them a lead of 481 runs setting a humongous total for the visitors to chase in the final innings of the Test match.
Twitterati, as much as they were happy with Ashwin's innings, was delighted seeing his teammate Siraj jumping with joy and suggested that summed up what this team stands for and how they have grown into a family over the last two-three months.
Here are some of the reactions:
As much as I enjoyed Ashwin’s knock, I loved Sirajs beaming smile,fist pumps and celebrations when @ashwinravi99 got to his 100. Here is a man who puts others before self. I hope that character trait is backed as much as much as every other skill set he possesses #absolutegem
— DK (@DineshKarthik) February 15, 2021
Siraj's celebration there
— Matt Roller (@mroller98) February 15, 2021
Siraj Before Ash 100. After Ash 100 pic.twitter.com/zcGjtTJ69C
— Abishek (@AbiDhonifan) February 15, 2021
Now it's Ashwin's role to stand there until Siraj completes his hundred. The effort should be mutual. #INDvENG
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 15, 2021
It was Ashwin's century but the pressure was on Siraj. And you could see that in the celebration. #INDvENG
— Manya (@CSKian716) February 15, 2021
Siraj and the rest of the Indian team's celebration of Ashwin's hundred rather debunks Tim Paine's theory that none of them like him, doesn't it?
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) February 15, 2021
Tim Paine: your teammates don't like you.
Ravi Ashwin's teammates on Ashwin's milestone: pic.twitter.com/wJXRjCurH6
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 15, 2021
No doubt that @ashwinravi99 's century in #Chennai test is very very special but the other thing very special was seeing md Siraj celebrate Ashwin 's hundred as if he himself had scored one. What team bonding.
— Sushant Sinha (@SushantBSinha) February 15, 2021
Siraj celebrating the hundred more than Ashwin himself. Loool what a guy!!! #INDvENG
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 15, 2021
Can't take my eyes off Siraj and how visibly happy he is for Ashwin here.#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/JaipbEZg7v
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) February 15, 2021