India pacer Mohammed Siraj has addressed the controversy surrounding his intense send-off to Australia batter Travis Head during Day 2 of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval. A viral video on social media captured Siraj and Head engaging in a heated verbal exchange after Siraj bowled Head on Saturday. While Head shared his perspective during the post-day press conference, Siraj broke his silence on the incident before play resumed on Day 3.
Speaking in the press conference, Head suggested that Siraj’s send-off was unwarranted, claiming he was actually complimenting the bowler’s delivery. However, Siraj refuted this in a conversation with former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, labeling Head’s statement as untrue.
“I was enjoying bowling to him. It was a good battle because he was batting really well. When a batter hits you for a six off a good ball, it hurts, but it also gives energy. After I bowled him out, I celebrated, and then he abused me. You can see it on TV. Initially, it was just my celebration—I didn’t say anything to him. But in the press conference, he said something completely false. He lied. There’s no way he said ‘well bowled.’
“We respect everyone because cricket is a gentleman’s game. I always maintain that respect. But Travis Head’s actions were wrong, and I didn’t feel good about it,” Siraj explained.
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Interview of Mohammed Siraj
– Siraj confirms “Travis Head didn’t say well bowled”. pic.twitter.com/CXrRdDuLcX
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 8, 2024
Harbhajan also recounted his own experiences of playing in Australia, noting that he too had been involved in similar controversies.
Siraj dismissed Head with a full delivery right after being hit for a six, sending him back to the pavilion, and followed it with a gesture towards the dressing room. In response, Head spun around and reacted. However, the Australian batter later acknowledged that the situation had escalated beyond what was necessary.
“I actually jokingly said ‘well bowled’, then he pointed me in the sheds and I had my reaction as well. I don’t want to give it too much airtime. I feel like the way I play the game I would like a better reaction. I was surprised at the reaction in terms of the situation of the game and the lead up. There was no confrontation leading up to it,” he said.
“It probably [went] a little bit far, that’s why I’m disappointed in the reaction I gave back, but I’m also going to stand up for myself. Like to think in our team we wouldn’t do that. [It’s] not the way I’d like to play the game and feel like my team-mates are the same. If I see that, I probably call it out, which I did,” he added.
After picking up 4 wickets in the first innings, Siraj might have to help India a little with the bat too as the team faces an improbable task against Australia on Day 3 of the day-night Test.
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