You don't play for the crowd, you play for the country, says Wasim Jaffer after Mohammed Siraj tears up during national anthem

Time and again, one has heard cricketers saying that no feeling is better than playing for the country and Mohammed Siraj showed it once again on Thursday. The India fast bowler got emotional and could not hold back his tears while singing the national anthem before start of play on day one of the ongoing third Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The 26-year-old from Hyderabad made his debut in the Boxing Day Test last month and made an instant impression. Siraj picked up five wickets in the game and played a crucial role in the win, helping India draw level in the four-match series. It was his first outing for Team India since his father Mohammed Ghouse passed away in November after suffering with a lung ailment.

Thanks to the performance in the MCG Test, he retained his place in the playing eleven for the ongoing game. And he was perhaps overwhelmed by the magnitude of the third Test and his emotional journey in the game as he teared up while singing the national anthem. Tears came rolling down his eyes and he wiped them off only after the national anthem was over.

Wasim Jaffer’s message for Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj has been receiving praise from all over for showing his love for the country by getting emotional during the national anthem. And former India batsman Wasim Jaffer also made sure to motivate the young pacer. Jaffer, who is fast becoming one of the most popular cricketers on Twitter, took to the social media platform to pen a heartfelt message for Siraj.

He posted a picture of Mohammed Siraj wiping off his tears and wrote: “Even if there’s little or no crowd to cheer you on, no better motivation than playing for India. As a legend once said “You don’t play for the crowd, you play for the country.”

Even if there's little or no crowd to cheer you on, no better motivation than playing for India. As a legend once said "You don't play for the crowd, you play for the country." 🇮🇳 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/qAwIyiUrSI

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 7, 2021

Talking about the game, Siraj opened the attack with Jasprit Bumrah and made the difference once again by giving India their first breakthrough. On the third ball of his 2nd over, he dismissed the dangerous David Warner for just 5.