It was an emotional moment for Indian rookie pacer Siraj.
During the national anthem at the end of the first day’s play, he was in tears.
Later, he explained why.
“At the time of the national anthem I remembered my dad,” Siraj told reporters.
“He wanted to see me play Test cricket for India and today he would have been proud had he been alive.”
Siraj’s father died on 20 November as India prepared for the start of their tour.
Siraj praised his father, an auto-rickshaw driver from the southern city of Hyderabad, for backing his dream to become a top cricketer.
Watch the soul-stirring video here.
