Mohammed Siraj’s Attitude Criticism: Ravi Shastri Supports Aggressive Approach
Mohammed Siraj, an Indian pacer, faced criticism for his attitude in the second Test against Australia, in Adelaide. His former coach, Ravi Shastri, has supported him. A heated exchange between Siraj and Australia batter Travis Head sparked widespread discussion. However, Shastri defended Siraj’s fiery temperament, describing it as an essential quality for a fast bowler.
The Siraj-Head Verbal Spat
The controversy unfolded during the second Test. Travis Head’s 140, a game-changing knock, frustrated the Indian bowlers. After Siraj dismissed Head, tensions flared, leading to a verbal exchange between the two players. The ICC noticed Siraj’s animated send-off. It fined him 20% of his match fees and gave both players a demerit point.
“I wouldn’t have expected anything else from a fast bowler after he’d been hit for a six. Siraj was letting off some steam. That’s the fast bowler’s temperament. You want it to be like that. When I was playing, my philosophy was to give it back as good as you get. And it’s exactly what I would tell my players when I was coaching India in Australia. Do not hold back one bit,” wrote Shastri in his column for CODE Sports.
Shastri’s Aggressive Philosophy
Ravi Shastri, known for his aggressive approach as head coach, said his philosophy urged players to “give it back as good as they get.””
“Do not take even one backward step. It then became the team’s philosophy and everyone from Virat Kohli to Rishabh Pant and every member of the squad was prepared to give it back to the Aussies,” Shastri added.
Shastri noted that this philosophy became a cornerstone of the team’s identity. It was so during his coaching. Players like Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant embraced it. They thrived in Australia’s tough environment.
No Escalation Expected
Shastri was confident that the fight between Siraj and Head would not escalate. He credited the maturity of both players. “Siraj and Head are mature. They’ll move on without a fuss,” Shastri noted.
The former India coach believes such fiery exchanges are part of the game. They are especially so for a fast bowler defending his craft.
