"Coal calling the kettle black" - Aakash Chopra lambasts Australia after Mohammed Siraj-Travis Head verbal exchange in BGT 2024-25 2nd Test
Aakash Chopra has lambasted the Australian players and media for their reactions after the heated exchange between Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head in the recently concluded second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He noted that the Australians terming Siraj a 'disgrace' was like coal calling the kettle black.
An altercation between Siraj and Head grabbed the headlines during Australia's 10-wicket win in the second Test in Adelaide. While Head stated in a press conference that Siraj gave him a send-off after he said 'Well bowled', the Indian seamer later called the Australian batter a liar.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener noted that the Australians have no right to call Siraj a 'disgrace'.
"A talking point of the last match was Mohammed Siraj vs Travis Head, who said what, when, and why. It became a topic of discussion. Someone, I think he is a journalist, said Siraj is a disgrace to cricket, India, and everything. I said were you born yesterday. Remove the soother from the mouth because if you are an Australian, see what your Australia have done," he said (11:55).
"Who is the disgrace? Coal calling the kettle black. Just think a little. I would say Australians and sportsman spirit, the beautiful wonderful behavior, don't go hand in hand. They do not exist. You cannot use them in the same sentence. That is the reality," Chopra added.
Chopra recalled the Australian cricketers being admonished by their own public, the prime minister, and former players during India's 2004 tour Down Under. He noted that the Aussie players became a little nicer on the field after being called unruly, uncouth, and bad examples for kids.
"This is the team that tries to win by hook or by crook" - Aakash Chopra on Australia
![David Warner and Steve Smith were banned for their involvement in the Sandpapergate scandal. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/d1f7f-17337278076952-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that the Australian players use all possible means to win games.
"They are also the brain-fade and Sandpapergate ones. They are the ones who claimed catches when the ball had touched the ground. This is the team that tries to win by hook or by crook. They build pressure with the team, outside the team, with sledging," he said.
The cricketer-turned-commentator also recalled Mohammed Siraj being racially abused in India's last Test tour of Australia.
"In fact, I remember the Sydney Test of last time. Your guys were making racial comments. They were your fans and they had to be moved out, and then only the match started. Have you forgotten that? Siraj was on the receiving end there. So please guys, get your act together," Chopra observed.
Aakash Chopra concluded by saying that Siraj is absolutely right. He added that India shouldn't get scared and urged their fans to stand with them.