Border Gavaskar Trophy: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said Mohammed Siraj’s send-off was ‘uncalled for’ after dismissing centurion Travis Head at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
“Unnecessary, if you ask me, the man’s got 140, he hasn’t got four or five or something. He got 140, you’re giving him a send-off, that’s totally uncalled for,” Gavaskar said during the tea-time show on Star Sports. “No wonder he’s getting the stick from the crowd. Travis Head is a local hero and after scoring 100, if he had even just applauded, Siraj would have been a hero for the entire crowd. Instead by giving him a send-off, he’s become the villain.”
Siraj was booed loudly in the next few deliveries by the Adelaide Oval crowd. He was also involved in a mini bust-up with Marnus Labuschagne on Day 1, throwing the ball towards him after the batter pulled away late due to a distraction behind the sightscreen.
Head also had his share of luck. One of his edges flew between wicketkeeper and first slip and, on another occasion, Siraj could not hold on to a tough catch in the deep as he top edged one from Ashwin. Head took a single off Ashwin to bring up his hundred before gesturing to his wife, daughter and newborn son in the stands. He also celebrated by placing his helmet at the top of his bat handle, a gesture seen as a tribute to Phil Hughes, who died 10 years ago.
Australia were all out for 337, a lead of 157, in reply to India’s first innings total of 180 on day two of the day-night second test in Adelaide on Saturday. Head top scored for the hosts with a blazing 140, while Marnus Labuschagne made 64.
Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj claimed four wickets apiece for India, who are 1-0 up in the five-test series.
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