IND vs AUS: Mohammed Siraj to get punished by ICC for throwing ball at Marnus Labuschagne? Here is what rule says

India speedster Mohammed Siraj who is part of India's Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 squad is on the verge of getting penalised by the International Cricket Board (ICC) for his gesture during the second Test match. The Indian speedster Siraj was seen angry as he threw the ball at Marnus Labuschagne in frustration even as the Aussie batter pulled away following a disruption near the sight screen.

Siraj's decision to throw the ball near the batter goes against ICC's rules and he could be penalised after the second Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Adelaide Oval.

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The incident happened during the 25th over of the Australian inning when Siraj was bowling to Labuschagne and a spectator carrying a long beer snake walked past the sight screen as Siraj was about to bowl. The Australia batter withdrew from his stance. Siraj reacted to the distraction by throwing the ball at the stumps. The ball missed the stumps and the batter as well.

What ICC Rule says

As per the ICC Code of Conduct, Siraj has breached the rules. The Indian speedster was supposedly guilty of: “throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment such as a water bottle) at or near a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other third person in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an International Match”. The clause clarifies that it does not prevent a fielder or bowler from returning the ball to the stumps normally or throwing it at the stumps or a teammate during a run-out attempt. “This offence will not prohibit a fielder or bowler from returning the ball to the stumps in the normal fashion, or from throwing the ball at the stumps or to a teammate when attempting a runout,” says the official rulebook. The officials will consider various factors when evaluating such incidents. These factors are outlined in the clause.  “(i) the context of the particular situation, including, without limitation, whether the action was deliberate, reckless, negligent, and/or avoidable; (ii) whether the ball/object struck the other person; (iii) the speed at which the ball/object was thrown; and (iv) the distance from which the ball/object was thrown”.While the ball did not hit Labuschagne, Siraj’s action could be seen as deliberate, reckless, negligent, or avoidable. The match referee will make the final decision on any potential penalty. If Siraj is found guilty, he will likely be charged with a Level 1 offence.