“Siraj became a villain for the crowd” - Sunil Gavaskar criticises Mohammed Siraj for Travis Head send-off in BGT 2024-25 2nd Test
Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar has slammed pacer Mohammed Siraj for his fiery send-off to Australian batter Travis Head on Day 2 of the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Adelaide. The 30-year-old smashed the Indian bowlers for the umpteenth time over the past two years, bringing up his eighth Test century.
The southpaw took it a notch higher after reaching three figures, smashing Siraj for a boundary and a maximum to start the 82nd over. However, the bowler bounced back with a yorker to clean the batter up for a 141-ball 140.
Following the dismissal, Siraj gave the Aussie centurion a mouthful and a send-off, much to Gavaskar's disgust. The former Indian opener said during the Tea break to the local broadcasters as quoted by TOI:
"The guy has scored 140. If he had scored one or two, and you give him a send-off, that's a completely different thing. He is a local hero. By giving Head a send-off, Siraj became the villain for the crowd. Had he applauded his century, he would have been appreciated."
Another former opener Matthew Hayden was also present during the conversation and said:
"You should know how to be humble (On Siraj)."
Head has been a thorn in the Indian side with match-winning centuries in the World Test Championship (WTC) (163) and ODI World Cup final (137) last year.
Travis Head's heroics propel Australia into dominant position in 2nd BGT Test
Travis Head's torment of India propelled Australia to a dominant position on Day 2 of the second Test in Adelaide.
After restricting India to a sub-par 180 in their first innings, the hosts reached 86/1 at stumps on Day 1. Australia's march continued on the second day with Marnus Labuschagne completing a hard-fought half-century.
The aggressive left-hander took matters into his hands after Labuschagne's dismissal, scoring a breathtaking 140 to take Australia's final first-innings score to 337. India's bowlers toiled hard despite Head's onslaught with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj finishing with four wickets each.
With a healthy lead of 157, the Aussie bowlers have already struck three times in India's second innings, leaving them precariously placed at 83/3 in 16 overs. The visitors still trail by 77 runs with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant out in the middle.