<p>India bowler Mohammed Siraj has given his first public account of the crowd abuse he suffered during the Australia Test series, saying it made him "mentally strong".</p>.<p>Siraj said India, who stunned Australia to win the series 2-1, declined an offer from the umpires to walk off the field as players were abused in the third Test in Sydney.</p>.<p>According to Indian media, shouts of "monkey" and other insults rang out when Siraj and fellow fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah were fielding near the boundary.</p>.<p>"The crowd in Australia began to abuse me but it made me mentally strong. I did not let it affect my game and that was important," said Siraj.</p>.<p>"I told my captain Ajju bhai (Ajinkya Rahane) about the abuse and he spoke to the umpires who said you can leave the field. But Rahane said: 'We will play on.'"</p>.<p>He said Rahane told the umpires to take action over the abuse. Six fans were ejected and an investigation into the incident is underway.</p>.<p>India, despite being decimated injuries, battled to a draw in Sydney and then broke Australia's 32-year unbeaten streak at Brisbane's Gabba ground to claim one of the great series victories of all time.</p>.<p>Siraj, still grieving his father, who died just before the series, took 13 wickets including five in Australia's second innings at the Gabba, just his third Test.</p>.<p>He was speaking after receiving a hero's welcome in his home city of Hyderabad on Thursday, where he headed straight for his father's grave.</p>.<p>Siraj's father, an auto rickshaw driver, died as India were in quarantine in Australia, but the player decided to stay with the team.</p>.<p>"First of all it was very difficult for me. Mentally I was upset and depressed," he said.</p>.<p>"I had a chat with them back home and they said that I should complete Dad's dream (of playing for India)."</p>.<p>Siraj has emerged as a national player after becoming a key man for Indian Premier League side Royal Challengers Bangalore, who are led by India's regular captain Virat Kohli.</p>.<p>"I had a bad season in 2018, but RCB backed me. Virat bhai has always backed me, saying 'You have the power and you can do it'," he said.</p>.<p>"I will not let this performance go to my head. I cannot relax as there is the England series and the World Test Championship coming up."</p>.<p>India, now the world's top Test nation, are virtually assured of a place in the world Test final at Lord's in June.</p>
<p>India bowler Mohammed Siraj has given his first public account of the crowd abuse he suffered during the Australia Test series, saying it made him "mentally strong".</p>.<p>Siraj said India, who stunned Australia to win the series 2-1, declined an offer from the umpires to walk off the field as players were abused in the third Test in Sydney.</p>.<p>According to Indian media, shouts of "monkey" and other insults rang out when Siraj and fellow fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah were fielding near the boundary.</p>.<p>"The crowd in Australia began to abuse me but it made me mentally strong. I did not let it affect my game and that was important," said Siraj.</p>.<p>"I told my captain Ajju bhai (Ajinkya Rahane) about the abuse and he spoke to the umpires who said you can leave the field. But Rahane said: 'We will play on.'"</p>.<p>He said Rahane told the umpires to take action over the abuse. Six fans were ejected and an investigation into the incident is underway.</p>.<p>India, despite being decimated injuries, battled to a draw in Sydney and then broke Australia's 32-year unbeaten streak at Brisbane's Gabba ground to claim one of the great series victories of all time.</p>.<p>Siraj, still grieving his father, who died just before the series, took 13 wickets including five in Australia's second innings at the Gabba, just his third Test.</p>.<p>He was speaking after receiving a hero's welcome in his home city of Hyderabad on Thursday, where he headed straight for his father's grave.</p>.<p>Siraj's father, an auto rickshaw driver, died as India were in quarantine in Australia, but the player decided to stay with the team.</p>.<p>"First of all it was very difficult for me. Mentally I was upset and depressed," he said.</p>.<p>"I had a chat with them back home and they said that I should complete Dad's dream (of playing for India)."</p>.<p>Siraj has emerged as a national player after becoming a key man for Indian Premier League side Royal Challengers Bangalore, who are led by India's regular captain Virat Kohli.</p>.<p>"I had a bad season in 2018, but RCB backed me. Virat bhai has always backed me, saying 'You have the power and you can do it'," he said.</p>.<p>"I will not let this performance go to my head. I cannot relax as there is the England series and the World Test Championship coming up."</p>.<p>India, now the world's top Test nation, are virtually assured of a place in the world Test final at Lord's in June.</p>