Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has received widespread admiration for his outstanding performance in the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka. Siraj took six wickets for just 21 runs, contributing significantly to India’s victory by 10 wickets. Among those showering praise on Siraj was business tycoon Anand Mahindra, who took to social media platform X to congratulate the player and the Indian team.
Known for his appreciation of sporting excellence, Mahindra used his creative flair to express his admiration for Siraj, comparing him to a Marvel Avenger: “It’s as if we have unleashed a supernatural force upon them… @mdsirajofficial you are a Marvel Avenger…”. This isn’t the first time Mahindra has recognized exceptional athletes. In the past, he has gifted cars from his company, Mahindra & Mahindra, to other successful sportspeople. Chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa received an electric XUV400, Olympian Neeraj Chopra was presented with a customised XUV700, and boxer Nikhat Zareen was gifted a Thar SUV.
Given Mahindra’s history of rewarding athletes, it was natural for someone to ask if Siraj could expect a similar gesture. To this, Mahindra responded, “Been there, done that…”. It turns out that Siraj was one of six cricketers who received a Thar SUV after India’s impressive performance in the Test series against Australia in 2021. Siraj had expressed his gratitude for the gift at the time, stating, “There is nothing I can say or do that will adequately express how I feel about your beautiful gift. For now, I’ll just say a big fat thank you”.
The recognition of Siraj’s exceptional performance highlights his growing stature in international cricket. His achievements not only bring honor to himself but also serve as an inspiration to aspiring cricketers in India and around the world.
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– HT Auto Desk, Updated on: 18 Sep 2023, 11:59 AM IST