A heated exchange took place between Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head on Day 3 of the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25) between India and Australia. Earlier, Mohammed Siraj was involved in a sledging controversy after clean-bowling Travis Head in the second innings of the Test.
Head scored 140 runs off 141 balls with 17 fours and four sixes on the second day of the day-night Test. The left-handed batter helped the team score 337 runs in their first innings in response to India’s 180 runs. Head’s innings ended when Siraj bowled him out with a yorker, and the two exchanged words.
Watch: Mohammed Siraj-Travis Head Exchange Words as Siraj Walks Out to Bat
Mohammed Siraj came to the crease after the fall of Nitish Kumar Reddy’s wicket in the second innings on Sunday, December 8. However, while walking towards the crease to face the ball, Siraj and Head exchanged a few more words. Their interaction gathered attention from cricket fans on social media.
Just a couple of mates clarifying things…#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/XzcInyAKLK
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 8, 2024
Adelaide Roars with Boos and Claps as Head Stuns Siraj with Scintillating Catch
Siraj’s stay at the crease ended shortly after Scott Boland removed him. The Indian lower-order batter played an aggressive shot, but it ended in the air. Head backpedaled from midwicket to complete a fine catch. Siraj scored 7 runs off 8 balls as India was bowled out for just 175 runs in their second innings.
The visiting team took just an 18-run lead after their second innings. Australia had to bat in the second innings to seal the match. Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney guided the team to victory without losing a wicket. The Pat Cummins-led team leveled the five-match Test series 1-1 with the win.
I Was Enjoying Bowling To Travis Head – Mohammed Siraj
At the post-day press conference, Travis Head questioned if that’s how Indian players wanted to “represent themselves.” Siraj responded by explaining that he enjoyed the challenge of bowling to Head. He stated Head’s comment was inaccurate, and not in line with the spirit of cricket.
“I was enjoying bowling to him. It was a good battle because he was batting really well. When batter hits you for a six on a good ball, it feels bad. That gave me an energy. After bowling him out, I celebrated. Then he abused me. You can see on TV as well. In the start, it was my celebration, I didn’t say anything to him. In the press conference, he said wrong thing. He lied. No-way he said well-bowled,” Siraj told Star Sports.
“We respect everyone. I always respect everyone because cricket is a gentleman’s game. Travis Head’s actions were wrong. I did not feel good,” Siraj added.
Also read: ICC World Test Championship Points Table, WTC Table After NZ vs ENG 2nd Test 2024