India pacer Mohammed Siraj has opened up about the emotional turmoil he faced during the 2020-21 Australia tour, revealing how he was left grieving alone in a hotel room after the passing of his father.

Speaking in a recent interview, Siraj described the period as the toughest phase of his career. He said that due to strict COVID-19 protocols, players were confined to their hotel rooms and no one could visit him to offer comfort. “I was in a 5-star hotel but it felt like a jail. I had no shoulder to cry on,” Siraj recalled.

Siraj had lost his father, Mohammed Ghouse, in November 2020, just before the Test series against Australia. Despite the personal loss, he chose to stay with the team, fulfilling his father’s dream of seeing him play for India. “My father always wanted me to represent India. I stayed back because I wanted to honour that dream,” he said.

The Hyderabad cricketer went on to play a crucial role in the historic series win in Australia, finishing as India’s highest wicket-taker in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His performance in Brisbane, where India sealed a famous victory at the Gabba, is still remembered as a defining moment in his career.

Reflecting on the experience, Siraj credited his resilience and support from teammates for helping him cope. “It made me mentally stronger,” he added.