Away from family while grieving the recent loss of his father, India pacer Mohammed Siraj said captain Virat Kohli’s advice to “be strong” has helped him stay afloat as he gears up for a gruelling series against Australia.

Kohli is no stranger to overcoming personal tragedy while carrying on with professional duties. In 2007, Kohli, then a teenager, lost his father in the middle of a Ranji Trophy match, but he came back the next day to score 97 for Delhi, showing his mental fortitude.

Siraj’s father Mohammed Ghouse, 53, died of a lung ailment in Hyderabad last week and despite the BCCI giving him the option to return home, the fast bowler decided to stay put on national duty.

“Viratbhai said, ‘Miyaan, tension mat le (don’t be tense) and be strong. Your dad wanted you to play for India. So, do that and don’t stress,”’ the 26-year-old Siraj told bcci.tv on the sidelines of India’s training session here.

“The skipper told me, ‘If you can be strong in this situation, it will only help you’. So those were positive words from the Indian captain and it felt nice.”

Mohammed Ghouse, who earned his living as an auto rickshaw driver during Siraj’s formative years as a cricketer, has been the single biggest influence on the Hyderabad man. “It’s a huge loss for me as he was the biggest support system of my life.

“He wanted me to shine for my country and my mindset now is to fulfil his dreams,” Siraj said.

He also thanked his teammates who have rallied around him. “I am indebted to my teammates as they stood by me in these tough times and everything was taken care of well,” Siraj said.

Even his mother had advised him not to abandon the assignment, which starts with the limited-overs leg on Friday.

“Mom said that everyone has to go one day. ‘Today, it’s your dad, tomorrow it will be me. Just do what your dad wished for you. Play well for India’.

“Maybe he is not physically present, but I can feel that he is always there with me,” Siraj said.