Commentator Adam Gilchrist apologises after mistakenly mentioning about passing away of Navdeep Saini's father

India marked their comeback into international cricket with the first of the three-match ODI series against Australia in Sydney on Friday. Australia skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and opted to bat first even as both the teams named their playing XIs on expected lines. However, soon after the match started, the former Australia cricketer and now the commentator Adam Gilchrist made a major goof up.

While behind the mic, the southpaw stated that Navdeep Saini, who is playing the first ODI, lost his father a few days back. He made a mistake as it was Mohammed Siraj’s father who breathed his last and the cricketer couldn’t go back for his last rites. Siraj has been picked in the Test side after his excellent performance in the domestic cricket last season and he also bowled well in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Meanwhile, Twitter was quick to point out the goof up from Adam Gilchrist as the tweets flooded in no time telling him about his mistake. And the gentleman from Australia was quick to apologise for the same as well. He apologised to both the cricketers, Navdeep Saini and Mohammed Siraj. “Yes, I realize I was mistaken in my mention. Huge apologies for my error, to both @navdeepsaini96 and Mohammed Siraj,” the tweet read.

Yes, thanks @anshu2912 I realize I was mistaken in my mention. Huge apologies for my error, to both @navdeepsaini96 and Mohammed Siraj. 🙏😌 https://t.co/618EUIEyNU

— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) November 27, 2020

Likely debut for Mohammed Siraj?

Mohammed Siraj’s personal loss was a huge one for him and his family. He opted against flying back to India for the last rites of his father due to quarantine regulations. Moreover, he also wants to fulfil his father’s dream of winning the Test series in Australia. With the Test series commencing on December 17, it will be interesting to see if India will hand a debut to Siraj.

Their experienced player Ishant Sharma has already been ruled out of the contest despite recovering from the injury he sustained in the IPL. The pace bowler’s workload and match fitness is yet to be ascertained which is expected to be take some time. Siraj, in that case, might make his Test debut at some point during the four-match series.

Here are some of the tweets that pointed out Adam Gilchrist’s gaffe:

@FoxCricket Siraj lost his father not Saini 😢 condolences to Siraj’s family #INDvAUS

— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) November 27, 2020

Adam Gilchrist made a gaffe during the commentary saying father of Navdeep Saini passed away last week, @gilly381 it was Mohd Siraj’s father not Saini’s @cricketcomau #INDvAUS

— Uzair Hasan Rizvi (@RizviUzair) November 27, 2020

It's Siraj whose father has passed away @gilly381 and not Saini. 😭#INDvAUS #AUSvIND

— Riot-su (@kankeneeche) November 27, 2020

Adam Gilchrist confused Siraj with Saini. 🤧 Surprising none of the other commentators corrected him that Siraj's father passed away last week and not Saini's.#INDvAUS #AUSvsIND #IndiavsAustralia

— Awarapan 🇮🇳 (@KingSlayer_Rule) November 27, 2020

Only in cricket where commentators can't remember facts.

It was Siraj's father and not Saini…

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) November 27, 2020

I was wondering if I heard right. Was tempted to message a mate in Oz but held back. They confused Saini for Siraj? https://t.co/T9zcucMDyp

— Arun Gopalakrishnan (@statanalyst) November 27, 2020

Oh Gilly, shocking gaffe. Not Saini, that was Siraj.

(and everyone else in the box 'nodding' on too)#AUSvIND

— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) November 27, 2020