The passing of veteran Bollywood icon Dharmendra at the age of 89 has left the nation grieving the loss of one of Indian cinema’s most beloved stars. The 'He-Man of Bollywood' was celebrated not only for his legendary films but also for his admiration for Indian sports. As India pays tribute to the late actor, an old emotional post he wrote for fast bowler Mohammad Siraj has resurfaced.

Dharmendra, who breathed his last in Mumbai, closely followed Indian cricket and often praised players for their performance. One such moment came in 2021, when Siraj, then making his Test debut, stayed back in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy despite losing his father back home. Dharmendra’s message for Siraj from that period has now gone viral again.

The emotional post dates back to January 2021, shortly after India recorded a historic 2-1 Test series win in Australia. Siraj, who was in mandatory COVID-19 quarantine in November 2020, received the devastating news of his father, Mohammed Ghouse’s, death. Although he was given the option to fly home, the then 26-year-old pacer chose to remain with the team, looking to fulfil his father’s dream of watching him play Test cricket. The late actor then penned down an emotional note.

'Siraj, Brave Heart son of India Love you ... Naaz hai tujh par, dil par walid ki maut ka sdma liye tum watan ki Aan ke liye match khelte rahe .. aur ek unhoni jeet watan ke naam darj kar ke lote.. Kal tujhe apne walid ki qabbr par dekh kar mun bhar aya. Jannt naseeb ho unhein,' the actor had written on  X.

The pacer went on to play three matches in the series, finishing with 13 wickets, and played a crucial role in the memorable victory at the Gabba. On returning to Hyderabad after the win, Siraj drove straight to the Khairatabad graveyard to pay his last respects at his father’s resting place.

Meanwhile, Siraj is currently part of India’s Test squad in the ongoing series against South Africa, where India trail 0–1. In the first Test at Kolkata, the right-arm quick ended with figures of 2/47 and 2/2. In the ongoing Test at Guwahati, the 31-year-old clinched a two-wicket haul while conceding 106 runs in the first innings.