Siraj is find of Australia Test series: Ravi Shastri
- by Grant Boone
- in Sports
- — Jan 23, 2021
T Natarajan, who was originally picked as a net bowler but became the first Indian cricketer to make his global debut across all three formats during the tour, landed in Bengaluru and is on his way to his village in Tamil Nadu's Salem. The cricket experts around the world including Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist were very critical of the Australian skipper sledging in the field against the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin in the Sydney test.
Siraj, called a "brown monkey" by some spectators, had reported the matter to Rahane, who brought it to the notice of on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Paul Wilson during the match.
"I faced abuses in Australia".
Ajinkya Rahane, who led India to a stunning 2-1 series win in Australia, returned home to a hero's welcome from fans in Mumbai.
"The umpires had said we can leave the game and go if we are upset with the racist comments, but (Ajinkya) Rahane said "why should we leave the game, we respect the game and we are here to play", Siraj had said. "We did no mistake, so we will play", he recalled about the match that was halted for a few minutes on the fourth day and ended in a thrilling draw.
Both Pant and Saha have been picked for the first two Tests in the home series against England next month and it remains to be seen whether the team think tank will play the veteran as a specialist wicketkeeper.
"Australian crowd started abusing me, it made me mentally strong. I did not let it affect my game and that was important", said Siraj.
"Even though I did not play (in three matches), I enjoyed every moment of it".
An injury-ravaged India inflicted Australia's first defeat in a Test match in Brisbane since 1988. Rahane arrived in Mumbai with four other India players and was given a grand reception by locals. But when senior players got injured, the entire team was banking on me to do well. "I will never forget this series", he said.
"(But) I can't relax. I will continue to do my job.
"I was unable to score runs that's why Pant got the chance".
The post mortem has focused on 36-year-old Paine's future and his ability to lead Australia into battle for next summer's home Ashes series against England. Whatever team management decides, I will do just that.
Siraj told reporters: "The trust that RCB [Royal Challengers Bangalore] and Virat Bhai have shown in me. After taking a five-wicket haul, I just hugged Bumrah bhai", he added. "He asked me not to try much and keep the ball in one area, don't think much".
"Pat Cummins will obviously come into the thinking because he's vice-captain, but the worry will be you'll end up with a similar problem the next time Australia are in day five [of a Test match]", he told the SMH.
