Mohammed Siraj Hits Out at Air India Express After 4-Hour Delay at Guwahati Airport

Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj faced a frustrating travel ordeal on Wednesday when he was left stranded for nearly four hours at Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. Siraj, who was returning to Hyderabad after India’s heavy defeat to South Africa in the second Test, criticized Air India Express for poor communication and repeated delays.

Siraj’s scheduled flight, Air India Express IX 2884, was supposed to depart at 7:25 pm. However, passengers were left waiting without any official explanation. Taking to social media, Siraj expressed his disappointment, stating that even after several follow-ups, the airline failed to provide a valid reason for the delay. He described the incident as his “worst airline experience” and cautioned passengers against choosing the flight if the airline “cannot take responsibility.”

The cricketer’s travel woes came on the heels of India’s crushing 408-run defeat to South Africa in the Guwahati Test — the team’s biggest loss by runs in home Test history. South Africa completed a dominating 2–0 series sweep, their first in India in 25 years.

Despite picking up two wickets in the first innings, Siraj had an otherwise quiet match, bowling just five overs in the second innings. South Africa’s commanding performance included a maiden Test hundred by Senuran Muthusamy (109), a brilliant 93 and a six-wicket haul from Marco Jansen, and a decisive spell from Simon Harmer, who took 6 for 37 to bowl India out for just 140.

With back-to-back home series losses, pressure is mounting on India coach Gautam Gambhir, who accepted responsibility for the defeat. Captain Rishabh Pant admitted that the team failed to seize key moments throughout the series.