IND vs AUS: The tussle between Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head in Adelaide is increasing day by day. Although after the end of the match, both the players hugged each other and resolved their grudges, but ICC took strict action on this issue and gave one demerit point to both the players and imposed 20% on Siraj’s match fee. Also imposed fine.
Former Team India spinner Harbhajan Singh did not like this action of ICC at all and he scolded the ICC. In Harbhajan’s view, it is unfair to add demerit points to Siraj’s disciplinary record and impose a fine of 20 percent of the match fee.
There was a fight on the field between Siraj and Head
There was a heated argument between Siraj and Head in the India vs Australia Test in Adelaide. Siraj had celebrated aggressively after dismissing Head and signaled to go to the pavilion. At the same time, Head had allegedly uttered abusive words.
Harbhajan said on Star Sports,
“You have made a big deal out of it.” Nothing happened that ICC had to intervene. Nothing happened that they went to fight with each other. Travis Head said something, to which Siraj reacted. The matter ended there and then. But ICC intervened. Both were given one demerit point each. Siraj has also been fined 20 percent of the match fee. Both the players had done the same things. Siraj did not even say the words which the head had said. He just gestured with his hand. Siraj did that too when Head said those words. If both did the same work then why 20 percent was imposed on Siraj?
The former spinner further said, “Look at any game in the world, how competitive it is. I think that if ICC interferes in every issue and every issue then that flavor will be lost. Be it cricket, baseball, or any other sport, some sparring is necessary. Because of this, a trend is created in sports. ICC should not interfere in small things. ICC should be allowed to participate in bigger things. If someone crosses his limits then a committee should be formed. Siraj-head had a very small matter, which was made into a big deal.
After the match, Travis Head clarified on this issue
Let us tell you, both the players have presented their views in front of everyone on this issue. Head said in the press conference after the end of play on the second day of the match, “I actually jokingly said ‘good bowling’ and but he heard something else and signaled me (to leave). I also had a reaction but I will not talk much about it.”
However, Mohammad Siraj has called this statement of Travis Head false. While talking to Harbhajan Singh on Star Sports, Siraj said, “I celebrated and did not say anything. But I heard that whatever he said in the press conference was a lie. Head has said that he called me well bowled. It is not visible from anywhere that he has said this. We respect everyone. I respect everyone because cricket is a gentleman’s game. But his method was wrong and I did not like it. That’s why I spoke.”
