The sports world is yet to recover from the sudden demise of Diogo Jota. Sports fraternities from every corner of the planet paid tribute to the Portuguese footballer. India pacer Mohammed Siraj also paid tribute to the late Liverpool footballer, Diogo Jota, after taking the wicket of Jamie Smith.

In a recently shared video by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Siraj revealed the reason behind his celebration when he pointed towards the sky after indicating the number ‘20’ with his fingers.

Siraj, through the video, said that he is a fan of the Portugal football team because Cristiano Ronaldo plays there; he is moved by the news of Jota's devastating car crash and sudden demise at the age of only 28. So, after taking the wicket of Smith, he chose to pay tribute to the latest forward.

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Siraj finally found his luck

Mohammed Siraj again went out of luck during the morning session of Day 2. He was very close to grabbing the wicket of Smith's scalp early, but KL Rahul at the slip cordon put down an easy catch. Siraj was clearly frustrated because of the lack of luster in fielding. Siraj finally dismissed the England batter during the second session of the day. After clinching the important wicket, the seamer came under the spotlight and made the occasion more special by his unique celebration. Siraj realized, "Life is so unpredictable." 

Siraj again took his name on the scoreboard when he cleared Brydon Carse from the crease. Carse departed for 56 and Smith for 51. In the first innings, Siraj bagged a bowling figure of 23.3-6-85-2. England lost all of their wickets on 387, including Joe Root's 104-run innings.

Watch the video where Siraj revealed the reason behind his special celebration 

A heartfelt gesture!

Mohammed Siraj pays his tribute to the late Diogo Jota. pic.twitter.com/B59kmWG3TO

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 12, 2025

Just after the wicket of Jamie Smith early in the second session of the second Test between England and India at Lord’s, India’s pacer, Mohammed Siraj, turned back to the stadium and pointed a ‘forever 20’ signal with his fingers before looking up at the sky. Notably, it’s a part of the tribute from the bowler to the late footballer, Diogo Jota. 

Jota was one of the favorite football players of Mohammad Siraj, and during the Lord’s Test, he got a chance to show respect to the Liverpool forward, who died on July 03, 2025, after he and his brother suffered a car accident in Cernadilla, Spain. The 28-year-old died a few days ago along with his brother, Andre Silva, when their Lamborghini car had a suspected tyre blowout.

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Siraj has always been a football fan for a long time, and he could always be seen to celebrate his wickets like Cristiano Ronaldo’s trademark ‘Siuuu.’ But the fact that he was seen paying tribute to Jota was expected, given that he had an interest in football. Many players across the world have paid tribute to the Portuguese talent.

Watch: Mohammed Siraj pays tribute to Diogo Jota during ENG vs IND 3rd Test 

It was the second ball of the 107th over of the innings. Jamie Smith and Brydon Crase had already rescued England with their 84-run stand for the eighth wicket after Jasprit Bumrah’s opening burst of three wickets in eight deliveries. But suddenly runs started to flow, and it was important for the bowlers to get the right plans and seize the runs to put pressure on the home camp.

MOMENT OF THE DAY ❤️

- A TRIBUTE TO DIOGO JOTA BY SIRAJ & LOOKING AT THE HEAVEN. pic.twitter.com/Jn7puooBDX

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 11, 2025

Siraj went with a lovely delivery angled in that swung away from the length outside off, and the batter tried to punch away from the body and got an outside edge into the hands of the wicket-keeper. Dhruv Jurel, who was still keeping wickets on the second day, replacing injured Rishabh Pant, grabbed a fine catch.

That was the time Siraj turned back and paid tribute to Diogo. He also picked up the last wicket of Brydon Carse, who walked a long way across to get bundled out. England finished with 387 runs in the first innings, as the hard work will begin now for the Indian batters, after spending four sessions in the London heat.