Delhi: In the second Test of the India vs Australia Test series played in Adelaide, Australia won and leveled the series. However, this clash between Siraj and Head is being discussed more than the result of the match. Giving sharp remarks on this clash, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar called Australia a mongrel, which in common parlance can be called a dog of mixed or uncertain breed.
AUS vs IND: Mohammad Siraj got scolded on every ball, spectators felt bad
Sunil Gavaskar, defending Siraj, said that it can be difficult for fast bowlers to keep themselves calm under pressure. He said that it is important to understand why Siraj became so excited by taking the wicket of Travis Head.
What happened on the field?
In Adelaide, Travis Head played a brilliant inning of 140 runs in the first innings. When Mohammed Siraj took the wicket of Head, he made a fiery celebration in anger. This not only angered the Adelaide crowd, but they also loudly booed Siraj. This trend continued in the next Test at Gabba ground in Brisbane, where Siraj again had to face opposition from the audience. Siraj also looked a little upset by this.
Gavaskar’s reaction
The former Indian captain said in his column in the Sydney Morning Herald that Travis Head’s aggressive batting puts the opposition bowlers under pressure. He wrote, “Head’s batting is fantastic for the spectators, but the bowlers are often unhappy with it. Siraj’s enthusiasm was natural, because before this he had hit a six and then took the big wicket of Head.”
‘Siraj is getting criticism from ‘Saints”
Gavaskar also targeted the Australian audience. He sarcastically said, “Siraj is receiving criticism from those ‘saints’ who are themselves famous for their excellent behavior on the field. Perhaps Australian fans would have felt bad that Siraj reacted like this after dismissing their local hero. But, the same spectators applaud when their bowlers bid farewell to an English batsman.”
‘Do mongrels only growl or bark also?’
Gavaskar also took a dig at the old aggressive style of Australian cricket, writing, “Those who are criticizing Siraj, they will be happy if an Australian fast bowler gives a similar farewell to an English batsman during next summer’s Ashes. There was some suggestion in the media that Australians should go back to becoming the mongrels they were before. So, do mongrels only growl or bark too?”
This statement of Gavaskar may bring strong reaction from the people, due to which this matter may take an even more serious form.