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During the day-night pink-ball Test at the Adelaide Oval, bowler Mohammed Siraj "misbehaved" with the Australian batters twice, according to former India batter Mohammad Kaif. Siraj was incorrect twice, according to Kaif, once when he threw the ball at Marnus Labuschagne in the first innings after the Australian batter retreated due to some movement close to the sightscreen, and again when he gave Travis Head an unnecessary send-off in the second innings after the left-hander hit a game-winning 140.
On Day 1 of the day-night Test, Labuschange retreated at the last second due to a fan moving around the sightscreen area with beer glasses, and an enraged Siraj threw the ball towards the stumps in the 25th over of Australia's first innings. According to Kaif, a role model would prefer not to provide such an example for the following generation.
Mohammed Kaif on Siraj
"(Marnus) Labushcagne was batting and there was some movement behind the sightscreen. He backed away but Siraj came and threw the ball near the stumps. That was also not the right way. He misbehaved. The kids watch you as a role model. You wouldn't want to set the wrong example. You wouldn't want to tarnish the image of the gentleman's game," Kaif said in a video shared on social media.
Kaif also talked about Siraj missing the chance to get the wicket of Head when he was batting on 79, but the Indian star dropped a tough catch during Ashwin's over.
"Mohammed Siraj had a chance (to send Travis head back). Travis Head top-edged one. Siraj was standing at mid-on. He ran backwards, tried with both hands but missed the catch. Ashwin applauded for the valiant effort but I believe, you create history by grabbing onto such difficult catches. The game changes if you take that catch and Head is out. Siraj had that chance to change the game as a fielder but that didn't happen," Kaif said.
"When Travis Head smashed 140, hit you to every nook and corner of the ground, flicked you for a six, You placed a deep cover, long on, deep cover and yet he found the gap. He changed the gap by playing shots all around the park. And he did that on a difficult pitch where it wasn't easy to score runs. After that, Siraj bowled him. I understand the celebration, but I didn't like the send-off. If you know he has a weakness, then get him out early. Get him nicking to the slips or dismiss him with a bouncer, then do your celebrations, but the guy has scored 140... there was no need for a send-off like that," he added.
Kaif further added that Australian fans were not wrong for booing Siraj as Head was a local hero.
"When you get to play in Australia, their fans will, of course, support their players. You gave a send-off to one of their players, so obviously, you will get booed. I don't think there is anything wrong there. You can't be this weak that you start complaining about getting booed," he concluded.
ICC punishes Siraj and Head
Both Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head have been penalised by the cricket's top governing body over their on-field altercation during the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar series.
"Siraj has been penalised 20% of his match fee after being found guilty of breaching article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal," ICC wrote in their report.
"Head too was sanctioned 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. Siraj and Head received one demerit point each on their disciplinary records, marking their first offence within the last 24 months. Both players admitted their respective offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle," the report further added
