Following a heated confrontation during the Adelaide Test, Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj and Australian batter Travis Head reportedly stand the risk of charges from the ICC. This incident took place during the second match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which Australia won convincingly by 10 wickets.
According to The Daily Telegraph, both players are likely to face disciplinary action; however, neither is expected to be suspended, as the incident is classified as a minor violation under the ICC’s Code of Conduct.
The incident occurred on Day 2 when Siraj had Head bowled for a well-made 140 runs with an in-swinging yorker. Siraj, known for his aggressive celebrations, glared sharply and gestured toward the dressing room. The Adelaide crowd was loud as Head, seemingly infuriated, had a few words exchanged with Siraj while walking off.
After the game, Head — who was Player of the Match — said he’d acknowledged Siraj with “Well bowled, mate,” after hitting him for a six earlier in the over, and that Siraj’s reaction seemed excessive to him. “I might’ve gone too far with my reaction, and I regret that,” Head said during a news conference. “But I also believe in standing up for myself. In our team, we don’t do that—it’s not the way I play or want my teammates to play.”””
Siraj, on his part, had a different story to tell. At the start of the third day’s play, he contradicted Head, who claimed he was verbally abused after dismissing him. “When you get hit for a six on a good ball, it fires you up,” Siraj said to Star Sports. “I celebrated when I got him out, but I didn’t say a single word to him. What he said at the press conference is not true. It’s pretty clear from the television that he said something more than ‘well bowled.’ I respect all the players because cricket is a gentleman’s game, but he crossed the line.”
Despite the earlier tensions, Day 3 seemed to have eased the air, as both were seen sharing a friendly moment during India’s second innings, which indicated that they would have sorted out the differences.
