Team India`s pacer Mohammed Siraj faced criticism after his fiery send-off to Australia`s Travis Head. The speedster refused Head`s claim of saying well bowled during the second match.
Mohammed Siraj`s aggressive send-off after claiming Travis Head`s wicket who scored 140 runs, saw heated exchanges between the two. It added drama on day two of the second Test match.
Opening up on Mohammed Siraj`s gestures, Head said that he said well bowled to the Indian pacer, a statement the Indian dismissed as a lie.
“It was a good battle. I loved bowling to him. He has batted really well for his 140”, Siraj told Harbhajan Singh during an interaction on Star Sports.
“When you get hit for a six on your good ball, it kind of gets annoying. It ignites your passion. When I got him out, I celebrated but he abused me”, said Siraj.
“It`s a lie that he said `well bowled` to me.” Taking to X:
Stunning revelation! @mdsirajofficial breaks his silence on his verbal clash with #TravisHead during Day 2 of the pink-ball Test! 😳
PS. Don`t miss @harbhajan_singh`s advice to DSP Sahab! 🫣#AUSvINDOnStar 2nd Test, Day 3 👉 LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy… pic.twitter.com/x0IqMVG1Ir
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 8, 2024
Also Read:Â Australia thrash India by 10 wickets in second Test, level series 1-1
The incident unfolded after Siraj, having dropped the local hero on 76 earlier in the day, conceded a six to him. The Hyderabadi responded immediately, castling Head with a low full toss and celebrating animatedly while instructing him to walk back.
Head reacted with a few verbal volleys of his own before leaving for the dressing room. Siraj was subsequently booed by the record 50,000-plus Adelaide crowd. The pacer was later seen discussing the crowd`s reaction with the umpires.
“You can see what he actually said on TV. Initially, I only celebrated but he was the one who started the conversation. In the press conference, he lied that he said `well bowled.` You can go and check the highlights again,” Siraj said.
“We don`t disrespect anyone. I respect every cricketer. Cricket is a gentleman`s game but the way acted after getting out was uncalled for.”
Travis Head`s brilliant innings of 141-ball 140 was the backbone of Australia`s total of 337 in 87.3 overs, even as wickets fell around him. He played a pivotal role in helping Australia secure a commanding 157-run first-innings lead.
“Well, I said `well bowled`, but he thought otherwise when he pointed me to the sheds. Yeah, I was slightly disappointed with the way that transpired with a couple of the past innings,” Head told `Fox Cricket` on Saturday.
“But, yeah, it is what it is if they want to react like that. And that`s how they want to represent themselves and so be it.”
Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who was involved in the infamous Monkey-gate scandal in Australia in 2008, backed Mohammed Siraj.
“You did right. He (Travis Head) never said `well bowled.` Australians don`t say this to anyone. I have had my fair shares of battles with them in the past. You should be proud of yourself. You were excellent”, said Harbhajan.
(With PTI Inputs)