Mohammed Siraj Booed on Opening Day of Brisbane Test
Siraj Faces Heat from Brisbane Crowd Over Travis Head Incident
On the rain-hit opening day of the third Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Brisbane crowd booed Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj. The hostility comes from a heated exchange between Siraj and Aussie batter Travis Head in the last Test in Adelaide.
The Brisbane Test marks a pivotal moment in the series, as both teams are tied 1-1. India won the first Test at Perth by 295 runs. Australia then won the pink-ball Test at Adelaide, thanks to a heroic knock by Head.
The Siraj-Head Showdown in Adelaide
Travis Head was the star of Australia’s win in Adelaide. He scored 140 runs off 141 balls, with 17 fours and four sixes. His innings helped Australia secure a substantial 157-run first-innings lead. However, the spotlight shifted to Siraj’s fiery send-off after dismissing Head.
Siraj bowled Head shortly after a six. He celebrated the wicket with an animated reaction. Then, he pointed the Aussie batter to the dressing room. This sparked a brief, heated exchange between the two players. Fans in the stadium reacted sharply.
After the incident, Adelaide fans booed Siraj and cheered for their local hero, Head. The animosity carried over to Brisbane. The crowd targeted Siraj again. Aussie fans still remember the tension from Adelaide.
Brisbane Test: Day 1 Recap
The rain-affected Brisbane Test saw Australia finish day one at 28/0. Openers Nathan McSweeney and Usman Khawaja are at the crease. Siraj bowled a tidy spell of 4-2-13-0 but remained a focal point for the crowd’s ire throughout the day.
Big boo for siraj from the crowd#AUSvIND #TheGabba pic.twitter.com/rQp5ekoIak
— ٭𝙉𝙄𝙏𝙄𝙎𝙃٭ (@nitiszhhhh) December 14, 2024
Players React to the Incident
After the Adelaide altercation, Travis Head reflected on it. He said his comment to Siraj, after being dismissed, was a light-hearted “well bowled.” However, he admitted disappointment in his own reaction after Siraj’s send-off. Siraj dismissed Head’s remarks as false. This fueled the incident’s narrative.
ICC Punishes Both Siraj and Head
The ICC stepped in to address the matter. It penalized both players. Siraj and Head received one demerit point each, while Siraj was also fined 20% of his match fees for his behavior.
With tensions high between Siraj and Head, the Brisbane crowd reacted. It shows the intensity of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With the series in the balance, both players must make a difference on the field.
