Mohammed Siraj found himself in the spotlight once again during the second day of the Pink Ball Test between India and Australia in Adelaide. The fiery pacer dismissed Travis Head for an impressive 140, shattering his stumps as Australia’s innings approached its end. However, the dismissal sparked a tense moment as Siraj gave Head a spirited send-off, leading to a verbal exchange between the two.
The incident quickly escalated when the Adelaide crowd sided with Head, booing Siraj for his animated celebration. Following the exchange, Siraj was seen discussing the crowd’s reaction with the on-field umpires, presumably raising concerns about the situation.
Travis Head’s Heroics Cause Headaches for India
Despite his dismissal in the 82nd over, Travis Head’s innings inflicted significant damage on the Indian bowling attack. Walking in at a precarious moment for Australia, Head turned the tide with a stellar knock. India had reduced the hosts to an uncomfortable position early on, dismissing Nathan McSweeney and Steve Smith cheaply.
Unfazed, Head counterattacked, forming crucial partnerships with Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey. His blistering hundred off just 109 balls helped propel Australia to a commanding total of 337, giving them a 157-run lead over India’s modest first-innings score of 180.
Social Media Reacts to Siraj’s Send-Off
Netizens quickly weighed in on the dramatic turn of events, offering a mix of humor and support. A fan on X (formerly Twitter) jokingly referenced Siraj’s honorary DSP title, writing, “Adelaide crowd continuously booing Mohammed Siraj. Arrest them, DSP saab.”
Another user defended Siraj’s celebratory antics, tweeting, “I don’t see any problem in Mohammed Siraj celebrating Travis Head’s wicket the way he did. Booing Aussies at the stadium should stop being so emotional. Head batted brilliantly, but that yorker + send-off were also .”
As the match progresses, the spirited exchange between Siraj and Head has added another layer of excitement to the fierce India-Australia rivalry.