The BCCI issued an official statement regarding the passing away of Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj ’s father, Mohammed Ghouse on Friday in India. Ghouse was 53 and lost the battle to a lung ailment in a hospital in Hyderabad.

Siraj is in Australia with the Indian squad for the four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy, starting from December 17 in Adelaide.

He is the fifth bowling option along with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Navdeep Saini.

Ishant Sharma is also expected to join the Indian contingent in Australia after passing the fitness test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

Team India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj lost his father on Friday after a brief illness. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had a discussion with Siraj. He was offered the option of flying back and be with his family in this hour of grief.

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The fast bowler has decided to stay with the Indian contingent and continue performing his national duties. The BCCI shares his grief and will be supportive of Siraj in this extremely challenging phase.

The BCCI requests the media to accord Siraj and his bereaved family members their space and privacy.

Siraj, who has represented India in 1 One Day International and three T20 Internationals till now, was included in the Indian squad for the red-ball cricket after his exemplary performance for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the just-concluded 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).