Bobby Rao buoyed by India's Mohammed Siraj success in Australia

India's monumental win over Australia in today's fourth and final Test in Brisbane is rightly being heralded as one of the finest in the recent history of the game.
By Staff Reporter
Published 19th Jan 2021, 17:52 BST
Updated 19th Jan 2021, 18:11 BST
India test bowler Mohammed Siraj (third in from the left) standing beside Bobby Rao (grey polo shirt), the picture was taken at Hyderabad Academy.India test bowler Mohammed Siraj (third in from the left) standing beside Bobby Rao (grey polo shirt), the picture was taken at Hyderabad Academy.
India test bowler Mohammed Siraj (third in from the left) standing beside Bobby Rao (grey polo shirt), the picture was taken at Hyderabad Academy.

The hosts were unbeaten at this venue in 32 years and the visitors, minus no fewer than seven first team regulars, looked out on their feet.

Even the toss went the Aussies way in the deciding game but somehow the underdogs found the will, the character and the resolve to wipe the grin off Tim Paine's face.

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It was a victory celebrated in many corners of the globe, including Strabane!

During his sojourn back to the Hyderabad Cricket Academy for a couple of years between 2015 and 2017, Bobby Rao took many young men under his wing. One of them was Mohammed Siraj; now a Test bowler and the man who took career best figures of 5-73 as Australia were bowled out for 294 in their second innings to open the door for India's batsmen.

Much has been written in the weeks since Siraj's debut in the Boxing Day Test about how he had overcome adversity throughout his cricketing life. That included the death of his father back in India while the player was preparing for his Test debut.

Rao too had stories about India's newest bowling hero as he soaked up the reaction to this week's win.

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"Siraj was one of the boys in our Hyderabad Cricket Academy. He had real natural talent and was extremely deceptive both in pace and movement," stated the former North West Warriors coach.

"I actually took him out of the Academy early on as we were very strict on times. We asked everyone to be there at 5.50am for a 6 o'clock start and he was often late.

"His team manager then came to me and told me he lived in Charminar old town, which was quite some way away. He had to get two buses to get to the Academy each day. Obviously we understood that and gave him the time he needed.

"He was signed up by the Sunrisers in 2017 and I did an hour of Lifestyle coaching with him. He has come a long way and made the most of his opportunity.

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"We are all so proud of him. His hard work and dedication is really paying off and he has done his family, especially his father very proud.

"I wish him every success on his journey and have no doubt that the Indian people will see much more of Siraj in years to come."

Related topics:IndiaAustralia

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