India vs Australia 1st ODI: Adam Gilchrist makes bizarre error about Navdeep Saini, apologises

Legendary Australian wicketkeeper took to social media to quickly apologise to Navdeep Saini and Mohammed Siraj after a bizarre mistake he made during commentary of the first ODI between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday. Gilchrist got confused between Saini and Siraj, mentioned on air that Saini had lost his father last week. The error was immediately noticed by many who took to social media to point out the mistake.  

Gilchrist said he was 'mistaken' in his mention as it was Mohammed Siraj who had lost his father due to illness after he arrived in Australia. 

"Yes, thanks @anshu2912. I realize I was mistaken in my mention. Huge apologies for my error, to both @navdeepsaini96 and Mohammed Siraj," Gilchrist wrote in his social media post. 

Mohammed Siraj did not fly back to India to be with his family after the death of his father and opted to stay in Australia and continue training with the rest of his Indian teammates. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said Siraj was offered the option of flying back but he did not take it. 

While Siraj has only been picked for the Test side, Saini was included in the playing XI for the first ODI.  

Siraj had said that it was his mother who gave him the confidence to continue training in Australia. Siraj said he stayed back in Australia to realise his father's dreams, which were always to see him do well for India. 

"My father was my biggest support, it's a big loss for me. My father's wish was to see me play for India. My mindset is to fulfill 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 fulfill my father's dream."