Indian pacer Mohammad Siraj and Australian batsman Travis Head have been penalized for their involvement in an on-field altercation during the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar series. Both players received demerit points and fines under the ICC Code of Conduct.
Siraj was fined 20% of his match fee for breaching Article 2.5, which addresses “using language, actions, or gestures which disparage or provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal.” Head was penalized for violating Article 2.13, pertaining to “abuse of a player, player support personnel, umpire, or match referee during an international match.” Each player was handed one demerit point, marking their first offense in the past 24 months.
The incident unfolded during the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, a critical match in the five-Test series. Tensions flared when Head, after a blistering 140 off 141 balls, was dismissed by Siraj. The Indian bowler celebrated by pointing toward the dressing room, leading to a brief verbal exchange between the two. However, the players reconciled later in the match when Siraj came out to bat during India’s second innings.
Match referee Ranjan Madugalle proposed the sanctions, which both players accepted without contest.
The match itself was a thrilling spectacle, with Australia bouncing back from a 295-run defeat in Perth to claim a resounding 10-wicket victory in Adelaide. Head’s aggressive century was the standout performance, earning him the Player of the Match accolade. Australia’s bowling attack capitalized on the day-night conditions, with Mitchell Starc (6/48 and 2/60), Pat Cummins (2/41 and 5/57), and Scott Boland (2/54 and 3/51) delivering exceptional spells.
The win briefly elevated Australia to the top of the ICC World Test Championship standings, only to be overtaken by South Africa after their victory against Sri Lanka. India, on the other hand, slipped to third, intensifying the competition as the series progressed.
This closely contested series continues to capture the cricketing world’s attention, with high stakes and emotions running high on both sides.