NEW DELHI: Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj was fined 20% of his match fee, while Australian batsman Travis Headfaced ICC sanctions following their heated verbal altercation during the day-night Test in Adelaide. Both players were found guilty of breaching the ICC’s Code of Conduct after a disciplinary hearing on December 11.
The ICC stated, “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.”
WHY SIRAJ GIVEN MAJOR PUNISHMENT?
The violation relates to using actions or language that could demean or provoke an aggressive response from a batsman upon dismissal.
Head was also sanctioned for breaching Article 2.13 of the same code, which addresses player abuse during an international match.
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However, Head avoided a financial penalty for this violation.
Both players received one demerit point each, marking their first disciplinary infringement in the last 24 months.
“Both admitted their offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle,” the ICC added.
ABOUT THE INCIDENT
The incident unfolded on day two of the Test when Head scored an impressive 140 runs off 141 balls before being dismissed by Siraj. Siraj celebrated aggressively, sparking a verbal exchange. Indian players, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, intervened to calm Siraj, and the crowd in Adelaide responded with boos.
Head later claimed that he had simply said “well bowled” to Siraj and expressed disappointment at the bowler’s reaction. Siraj, however, disputed this account.
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“I only celebrated and he abused me, and you saw that on TV too. I didn’t say anything to him,” Siraj told broadcaster Star Sports. “What he said in the press conference wasn’t true. It’s a lie that he only said ‘well bowled’ to me. It’s clear for everyone to see that’s not what he said.”
Head later acknowledged his role in the incident. “There was no confrontation before that, but I felt like it probably went too far, and that’s why I’m disappointed in my reaction,” he said during the post-play press conference.
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MOVING TO BRISBANE
After a dominant 295-run victory in the first Test in Perth, India lost the second Test in Adelaide by 10 wickets, leveling the five-match series at 1-1.
The third Test will take place in Brisbane, starting December 14.