Mohammed Siraj hogged the headlines for the face-off with Travis Head in the second Test against the Australia National Cricket Team at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide. The pacer came up with the aggressive send-off after he dismissed the batter, who slammed a magnificent century in the game.
Mohammed Siraj was among the bowlers who were at the receiving end of an onslaught by the Travis Head. The Australia National Cricket Team batter went berserk and slammed the Indian bowlers all over the park, hitting a glorious ton to put his team in the dominating position.
Mohammed Siraj gave an aggressive send-off to Travis Head
Mohammed Siraj was also hit for a massive six by Travis Head. However, right after that ball, the fast bowler removed the batter as he produced a pinpoint yorker that castled the stumps of the batter. As he removed Head, he gave an aggressive send-off to the batter.
Travis Head also didn’t back off as the two exchanged some harsh words. Both the players also shared their side of the story in media as well as things kept getting intensified. Before the duo sorted the things up, they went on to hug each other at the end of the match.
Mohammed Siraj’s fiery send-off to Travis Head has become the topic of discussion. Of late, many experts in cricket field has lashed out at the India pacer for his actions. Notably, Mohammed Siraj had given a fiery send-off to Head after dismissing the batter for his individual score of 140 on Day 2 of the recently-concluded Adelaide Test.
In return, Head also got involved in a war of words with the pacer. Head’s knock defined the match as Australia eventually won the contest by 10 wickets. Siraj’s action has been heavily criticized by former cricketers, including many from India.
The fiery exchange between Mohammed Siraj and Head during the pink-ball Test could lead to fines or stern reprimands. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting also hinted that Mohammed Siraj could be penalized by the match referee for his fiery send-off to Head.
Former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson shared his voice of opinion regarding Mohammed Siraj for giving a send-off to Travis Head during the second Test against the Australia National Cricket Team. He called the fast bowler brainless and said that it was a mad act from the fast bowler.
Mitchell Johnson shares his opinion on Mohammed Siraj’s controversies from BGT 2024-25 2nd Test
Former Australia quick Mitchell Johnson recently gave his opinion on Mohammed Siraj’s ‘celebrappeal’, saying the India speedster needed to show respect to the umpires. Although Johnson felt it was not intentional from Siraj, he underlined the need for better conduct.
Siraj’s pre-mature celebrations during the first two Tests of the ongoing five-game series drew criticism from some former Aussie cricketers. He also came under the spotlight for his fiery send-off to Travis Head after dismissing him for 140 in the Adelaide Test.
In his column for The Nightly, Johnson wrote:
“The other issue involving Siraj in the second Test is his “celebrappeal” when he didn’t turn to appeal. Out of respect to the umpires, you should always turn and appeal to them, even if you think it’s clearly out. I don’t think Siraj did it intentionally, but he should know better at this level.”
He felt it would be interesting to see if Siraj could block out the outside noise and lead the visitors’ attack if Jasprit Bumrah didn’t play in the upcoming Brisbane Test.
“It will be interesting to see how Siraj responds to the extra attention and if it will help or hinder his performance. He seems to be one of those bowlers who crosses the boundary line and that fire in the belly ignites in him. Time will tell and Siraj will have a huge role to play leading the Indian attack if Jasprit Bumrah misses the third Test with injury.”
Siraj’s fiery send-off to Head resulted in the ICC giving him a demerit point, followed by a 20% fine of his match fee. Head also received a demerit point for breaching Article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to the “abuse of a player, player support personnel, umpire or match referee during an international match.”
“I don’t think I ever pointed someone back to the pavilion” – Mitchell Johnson
Reflecting on the send-off by Siraj, Johnson reckoned things could happen in the heat of the moment and that such instances were not premeditated. He added:
“While I do recall giving batsmen verbal send-offs, I don’t think I ever pointed someone back to the pavilion. In the moment of getting a wicket, the adrenalin is going, and you could be in a period of the game when a batsman is all over you and that pleasure when you get them out gets the better of you. We are not robots and cricketers are human. Sometimes these things just happen. It isn’t a pre-prepared thing bowlers do.”
The 43-year-old also hopes that the demerit point to Siraj and Head doesn’t overpower the on-field action, writing:
“The clash was the moment we had all been waiting for and the crowd enjoyed it, quite clearly. Like I always say, you play to win on skill but the fight, competitiveness, confident body language and yes, even a few verbal exchanges, are all what makes the game that little bit more exciting. I hope the disciplinary action taken against Siraj and Head doesn’t change the way the series is being played because I find it entertaining to watch when both teams are on the front foot.”
Following the incident, focus now shifts to the third Test at the iconic Gabba in Brisbane. The five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series is poised at 1-1, with a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final on the line. Australia bounced back in style after a crushing 295-run loss in the first Test. In the ‘pink-ball’ second Test at Adelaide, Australia wiped India away, winning by 10 wickets in the end.
Travis Head was the Player of the Match, with his sensational knock of 140 in 141 balls in the first innings setting the foundation for Australia’s massive victory. Mohammed Siraj is the fourth-highest wicket-taker of the series so far, having picked up nine wickets at an average of under 20. With the series standing at 1-1, India and Australia will now resume their rivalry at the Gabba, starting December 14.