Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes India’s fast bowler Mohammed Siraj is likely to be penalized by the match referee for his fiery send-off to Travis Head after dismissing him on Day 2 of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide.
After being flicked for a six by centurion Head, Siraj dismissed him next ball with a full delivery that crashed into the stumps. It led to Siraj giving Head the marching orders with a few unkind words as an unhappy Head also shot back.
But the Australian batter had done his job by then, putting his team in the box seat with his attacking knock of 140 off 141 balls. India, who made just 180 in their first innings, then bowled out the hosts for 337 but fell behind by 157 runs.
Travis Head punishes India with a counter-attacking hundred in Adelaide Test
“That’s what you call the old-fashioned send-off – umpires and referees do not see kindly to stuff like that,” said Ponting while speaking on Channel Seven. “Siraj wasn’t happy to be clipped over deep backward square for six… and he might have a bit to answer for.”
Siraj copped a lot of criticism for his antics, including from former India captain Sunil Gavakar, who said Siraj became a “villain” for the Adelaide crowd, who booed the Indian bowler for his behaviour towards local boy Head.
In their second innings, India slipped to 128 for 5, still 29 runs in the arrear and staring at a crushing defeat. Rishabh Pant was batting on 28 and Nitish Kumar Reddy on 15 when umpires called stumps on Saturday.
Head was asked about the incident after the day’s play and said that while he was “surprised” by the reaction, he doesn’t want to give it too much “air time”.
“I actually jokingly said well bowled and then he pointed me to the sheds and I had my reaction as well. I don’t want to give it too much air time,” said the Australian.
“I was surprised at the reaction in terms of the situation of the game and in the lead-up. There was no confrontation leading up to it. I felt like it was probably a little bit far at the time. That’s why I’m disappointed at the reaction that I gave back. But I’m also going to stand up for myself. That’s not how I’d like to play the game.”