Virat Kohli carries on MS Dhoni's gesture, impresses Hyderabad pacer Mohammed Siraj
Mumbai: Team India clinched their eighth consecutive bilateral series after beating New Zealand 2-1 in a thrilling three-match Twenty20 series that went down to the wire. While the series saw the comeback of Tamil Nadu batsman Dinesh Karthik, the tournament was another memorable outing for two youngsters - Mohammed Siraj and Shreyas Iyer.
While Iyer was a constant name in Virat Kohli’s team for all the matches, Siraj, on the other hand, featured only in the second T20I, making way for the retired Ashish Nehra after the first T20I in Delhi.
However, the India speedster endured a nightmarish debut, leaking away 54 runs in 4 overs only at the cost of a wicket.
However, as the Men in Blue gathered for a mandatory group picture after India clinched the Thiruvanathapuram T20 to win the series, Siraj was the cynosure of all eyes as skipper Kohli straightaway handed him the winners’ trophy. In what was a practice first started by former India skipper MS Dhoni, Kohli also ensured to give it a go.
— Cricket Videos (@CricketKaVideos) November 7, 2017
On his debut, the Hyderabadi local was also caught in tears post the national anthem ceremony.
It was the proud moment when our captain @imVkohli Bhai handed me the trophy.. thank you very much Virat Bhai pic.twitter.com/GwwmzboU6T
— Mohammed Siraj (@m_siraj13) November 10, 2017
The right-arm pacer later revealed it was a surreal moment donning the national colours.
"Honestly, I didn't expect the call-up this soon. I knew that sometime in future I will surely represent the country, but not this early. I can't tell you how happy I am. When I told my parents, they were happy and speechless at the same time. It's a dream come true for me,” he said.
