The ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-2025 has been marred by a heated on-field incident involving Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj. Head's match-winning century for Australia in the second Test at Adelaide was overshadowed by the verbal altercation that followed his dismissal.
Siraj's yorker ended Head's impressive innings, and the subsequent exchange between the two players escalated tensions. The incident continued off the field, with Head criticising Siraj's behavior in a post-match press conference. Siraj, in turn, denied Head's claims, adding fuel to the controversy. The incident has sparked debates about on-field conduct and sportsmanship.
Matthew Hayden gives verdict on 'Mohammed Siraj's aggressive send-off to Travis Head'
Meanwhile, Australia's legendary batter Matthew Hayden has given his verdict on 'Mohammed Siraj vs Travis Head' and picked his side.
“There is no need to take further action on that. It was an incident that neither party really enjoyed. I don't think the cricket public enjoys that sort of reaction. He has bowled a wonderful ball, let's not forget that. An innings that was absolutely superb, it was a really significant moment. The removal of Travis Head," Matthew Hayden said on Star Sports
"He said 'well bowled'. I could lip-read. But I suppose, in the heat of the battle there is going always going to be misinterpretation. But the point is my opinion, all is fair in love and war when it comes to the actual removal of the batter," he added.
Hayden also didn't like Indian players' gesture of not congratulating Travis Head after his superlative hundred, which proved to the difference in the match.
“For someone who has played as magnificently as Travis Head did, there should be a moment of humility from the opposition side to say well played rather than the send-off. I don't expect that from the fast bowler, because he is pumped up full of gas and energy. But from the rest of the field, there should be a movement towards the batter, a decent clap, and a ‘well played’, Hayden concluded.
It was due to Head's century, Australia could post a big total of 337 runs while replying to India's lowly 180 in the first innings. Australia continued their dominance in the second innings as Pat Cummins fifer triggered India's batting collapse and in no time they were summed up for 175. Australia were handed an easy peasy target of 19 runs to win the match and level the series 1-1. Australia. The 10-wicket win rocketed Australia to top of the tree in WTC 2023-2025 points table while India slipped to third in the standings.
