Who said what - top 5 expert reactions to Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head's heated exchange in 2nd BGT 2024-25 Test ft. Ricky Ponting
Team India and Australia have a storied history regarding verbal exchanges - both on and off the field. While one can argue that the extent of verbal spats has gone down since the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL), they still exist.
One such incident happened when Siraj gave Head a fiery sendoff during the day-night Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Adelaide Oval. The southpaw, who raced to his century off 111 deliveries, had hit Siraj for a four and a six before the pacer uprooted Head's stump with a cracking yorker.
The Indian pacer, pumped up after the breakthrough, gave Head an animated send-off, while the local star said some words on his way back to the dressing room.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has noted what transpired in Adelaide and will reportedly penalize both cricketers.
While Head and Siraj made contrasting revelations on the exchange, the turn of events has prompted reactions from the entire cricketing fraternity.
On that note, let's look at five expert reactions to the heated exchange between Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj.
#1 AB de Villiers
Former South African skipper AB de Villiers, who played with Siraj at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, shared his two cents on the verbal spat, saying that while the send-off is a debatable issue, these elements make Siraj the player he is.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, de Villiers said:
"Maybe questionable giving Head a send-off after he scored a match-winning hundred. But that is Siraj for you. His enthusiasm, his excitement, and his drive to win games of cricket."
"I love a bit of banter in a cricket game. What was said out there, I don't really care unless it went over the line. So what is over the line? I think that is personal stuff, religious stuff, racial stuff. Otherwise, I am happy to overlook it," de Villiers added.
#2 Sunil Gavaskar
Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar came down hard on the Indian pacer, saying he became a villain for the crowd by giving a fiery send-off to Head, who played a magnificent 140-run knock.
Gavaskar told local broadcasters:
"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."
#3 Matthew Hayden
Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden also shared his verdict on the Siraj vs Head duel, saying that there is no need to make an issue out of it.
“There is no need to take further action on that. It was an incident that neither party really enjoyed. I don't think the cricket public enjoys that sort of reaction. He has bowled a wonderful ball, let's not forget that. An innings that was absolutely superb, it was a really significant moment. The removal of Travis Head," Matthew Hayden said on Star Sports via Sports Tak.
#4 Mark Taylor
Former Australian skipper Mark Taylor reacted to the incident, saying that Siraj's antics didn't look good, and urged the senior cricketers to talk with the Hyderabad-born pacer.
"I don’t know who instigated it, but it’s not a good look, particularly when a guy makes 140," Taylor said in the Willow Talk podcast via TOI. I’d like to see someone have a little word to Mohammed Siraj," he added.
#5 Ricky Ponting
Former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting reckoned that getting hit for a six over backward square leg prompted Siraj's reaction. He also stated the animated celebration from the bowler might cost him a penalty.
"That's what you call the old-fashioned send-off – umpires and referees do not see kindly to stuff like that," Ponting said on Channel Seven via NDTV. "Siraj wasn't happy to be clipped over deep backward square for six... and he might have a bit to answer for," he said.