Mohammed Siraj issues five-word response to ICC sanctions after Travis Head bust-up, as Indian cricket great offers up surprising take on their spat

Mohammed Siraj has broken his silence after both he and Travis Head were sanctioned by the ICC after the pair were involved in a heated argument during the Adelaide Test.

Australia claimed a 10-wicket win thanks to Head’s exceptional innings, with the South Australian batsman dazzling his home fans and smashing 140 runs off 141 balls to help Pat Cummins’ side level the series.

Perhaps one of the biggest talking points of the match came after he was dismissed by Siraj with a full delivery. The Indian bowler then gave the Australian batsman a farewell, which Head didn’t seem to take kindly to either, sharing a few choice words with his opponent.

A lip reader has revealed Head used the term ‘F*** you ****’ while walking out of line, according to News.com.au.

Siraj has subsequently accused Head of abusing him and lying after Head claimed in his post-match presser that he had said ‘good bowling’ to the Indian firebrand after Siraj had knocked over his stumps.

Despite their claims, the pair have now both been found guilty by the ICC of breaching their code of conduct, with Siraj ordered to pay 20 percent of his match fees.

The pair have been given a demerit point by the ICC, while Siraj was given a match fine

He was penalized under Article 2.5 of the code, relating to ‘the use of language, actions or gestures which discredit the batsman on dismissal or may provoke aggressive reactions.

One demerit point was also added to the India star’s disciplinary record. If a player accrues four or more penalty points within a two-year period, these will be converted into suspension points, which may lead to a suspension. It was his first offense in the past 24 months.

But he didn’t seem too concerned about the penalties.

“Yeah man, it’s all good,” he said when asked about the fine, which amounts to about $16,500.

When pressed further on whether he was upset by the decision, Siraj said, “I’m going to the gym now.”

Head, meanwhile, was deemed to have breached Article 2.13 of the code, relating to ‘abuse of a player, player support staff, referee or match referee’. He also picked up a negative point, with both stars accepting sanctions.

“Siraj and Head have admitted their respective offenses and accepted the sanctions proposed by Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees and as such there was no need for a formal hearing,” the ICC said.

After the clash, Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri, who scored 3,830 runs and took 151 wickets during his Test career before leading India as coach of the side in two victorious tours of Australia between 2017 and 2021, has given a surprising take on the matter.

Despite their heated exchange on the field, the two hugged and shook hands at the end of the game

Cricket great Ravi Shastri has claimed that the pair’s heated exchange was a good thing, adding that you want your fast bowlers to show a little needle

“I am sure Siraj and Head are mature individuals who will deal with it and the dust would have settled by then,” he said. Code sports.

“I certainly wouldn’t have expected anything less from a fast bowler after being hit for a six. Siraj was letting off some steam. That is the temperament of the fast bowler.

“You want it to be that way. When I was playing, my philosophy was to give it back as best I could.

‘And it’s exactly what I would tell my players if I was coaching India in Australia. Don’t hold back for a moment.’

Despite this, Shastri has urged India not to take a step back against the Aussies in Brisbane this week.

“Don’t even take a step back,” he added.

“It then became the philosophy of the team and everyone from Virat Kohli to Rishabh Pant and every member of the squad was willing to give it back to the Aussies.”