India vs Australia 1st ODI: Adam Gilchrist apologises to Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj after commentary goof-up

India vs Australia 1st ODI: Adam Gilchrist apologises to Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj after commentary goof-up

Navdeep Saini, Adam Gilchrist, Navdeep Saini

Navdeep Saini, Adam Gilchrist, Navdeep Saini (L-R)

Veteran Australian wicketkeeper-batsman and commentator Adam Gilchrist mistook Navdeep Saini for Mohammed Siraj during the first ODI between Australia and India. Gilchrist goofed-up and offered condolences to the former’s father in the commentary box at the Sydney Cricket Ground. This incident soon even led to a furore on social media before the Aussie finally realized his mistake. 

During the seventh over of the Australian innings, Gilchrist, instead of Siraj, offered condolences to Siraj’s family while commentating. Siraj, currently in Australia with the Indian squad for the upcoming Test series, lost his father a week ago. He decided against the thought of returning to India due to quarantine protocols. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) speedster continued training with the national squad after arriving in Australia on November 13.

A Twitter user pointed out Gilchrist’s commentary gaffe. He wrote: “@gilly381 FYI- it’s not @navdeepsaini96 father who died. It was Mohammad Siraj! @FoxCricket #goofup #commentarygoofups.”

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Adam Gilchrist immediately apologized to both the Indian speedsters in his reply. “Yes, thanks @anshu2912. I realize I was mistaken in my mention. Huge apologies for my error, to both @navdeepsaini96 and Mohammed Siraj,” Gilchrist wrote on the micro-blogging site.

Want to fulfil my father’s dream: Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj with his late father

Mohammed Siraj recently gave an interview to BCCI, soon after he got the news of his father’s demise. The 26-year old told that his mother asked him to fulfil his father’s dream of playing for India.

“My father was my biggest support, it’s a big loss for me. His wish was to see me play for India and my mindset is to fulfil his dream. My father is not here in this world but he is with me all the time,” Siraj told BCCI in a video interview.

“My mom reminded me of my father’s dreams. She asked me to stay there and perform well for India and fulfil my father’s dream,” he added.

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