Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj on Sunday donated his Man of the Series prize money of $5,000 to the ground staff at Colombo. Billionaire businessman Anand Mahindra applauded the gesture. “Just one word: CLASS. It doesn’t come from your wealth or your background. It comes from within,” he wrote on social media platform X.
Siraj, at the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka on Sunday, took six wickets for just 21 runs, setting up India's win. India triumphed over the host team with a 10-wicket victory. This makes Siraj the fourth bowler in ODI history to take four wickets in an over.
"This cash prize goes to the groundsmen. If they weren't there, this tournament wouldn't have been possible. They deserve all the credit," Siraj said. The ground staff worked hard during the tournament, that was affected by rains.
Apart from Anand Mahindra, director SS Rajamouli, Anushka Sharma, Shraddha Kapoor, Mahesh Babu and Vicky Kaushal lauded the cricketer for his stellar performance.
“Siraj Miyan, Our Tolichowki boy shines at the Asia Cup final with 6 wickets… And has a big heart, running to long-on to stop the boundary off his own bowling,” Rajamouli wrote on X. “Ab Siraj se hi pucho ki iss free time ke saath kya karein,” Shraddha Kapoor jested; which translates to, “Now ask Siraj what to do in all this free time.” She posted the message on Instagram.
Anand Mahindra also wrote, “I don’t think I have EVER before felt my heart weep for our opponents….It’s as if we have unleashed a supernatural force upon them… @mdsirajofficial you are a Marvel Avenger… “
In reply to that post, a Twitter user wrote: "Sir please give him a suv"
Mahindra then wrote: "Been there, done that…". Mahindra had gifted Siraj a 'Thar' in 2021.