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Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj on Sunday, December 8 finally broke silence on the heated send-off that he gave to centurion Travis Head after dismissing him in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. Speaking ahead of Day 3’s play, Siraj claimed that Head lied when he reaffirmed that he had said “well-bowled” to the bowler.
However, things escalated in this fierce battle, Siraj on Sunday said that he Head abused him and that triggered him to give a furious send-off. The incident took place in the 82nd over of the Australian innings just after Travis Head smashed Siraj’s delivery for a mximum towards deep square leg. The Indian bowler had a perfect response as he got him on a yorker, crashing the stumps, Head had a few choice words for Head, leaving Siraj fuming.
Travis Head lied: Mohammed Siraj calls out Aussie batter’s aggressive send-off
In a chat with former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh on Star Sports, Siraj explained his side of the story. “I was enjoying bowling to him. It was a good battle because he batted really well. When a batter hits you for a six on a good ball, it feels bad. That gave me an energy. After bowling him out, I celebrated. Then he abused me. You can see on TV as well. In the start, it was my celebration. I didn’t say anything to him. In the press conference, he said wrong thing. He lied. No way, he said well bowled. We respect everyone. I always respect everyone because cricket is a gentleman’s game. Travis Head’s actions were wrong. I did not feel good,” Siraj told Star Sports at the start of Day 3 proceedings.
Watch Mohammed Siraj break silence on heated send-off controversy with Travis Head:
Not only this, Siraj also spoke of how Team India knows to comeback in the match and opined that they all will try to get the back in their hands. Speaking ahead of Day 3’s play, Siraj told, “The Indian team knows how to comeback really well. We never give up. Whenever we fall, we keep the strength to get back up. We are always positive that we can score runs from any position and even win the contest. We will take the field with a positive mindset and whatever God has planned for us, we will get that.”
I actually jokingly said 'well bowled': Travis Head on furious send-off
Speaking at the post-day presser in Adelaide, the homeboy Travis Head shed light on the controversial send-off, involving Mohammed Siraj. "I actually jokingly said 'well bowled', then he pointed me in the sheds and I had my reaction as well. I don't want to give it too much airtime. I feel like the way I play the game I would like a better reaction. I was surprised at the reaction in terms of the situation of the game and the lead up. There was no confrontation leading up to it," Travis Head said.
"It probably [went] a little bit far, that's why I'm disappointed in the reaction I gave back, but I'm also going to stand up for myself. Like to think in our team we wouldn't do that. [It's] not the way I'd like to play the game and feel like my team-mates are the same. If I see that, I probably call it out, which I did," he further added.
