In a dramatic turn of events during the third Test between India and Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane, Mohammed Siraj found himself at the receiving end of boos from the Australian crowd. The incident occurred on Day 1, after Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl first on overcast conditions. As Siraj ran in for his first over, the crowd’s boos echoed through the stadium, a reminder of the ongoing tension following his fiery exchange with Australian batsman Travis Head during the second Test in Adelaide.
The Controversial Adelaide Incident That Sparked Tensions
The boos at the Gabba were a direct result of an incident in Adelaide, where Siraj had a fiery altercation with Travis Head after dismissing the Australian batsman for 140 in the second Test. Siraj’s animated send-off to Head, which included aggressive words, did not sit well with Head, leading to a public exchange of words between the two players. In a press conference, Head remarked that he had simply told Siraj “well bowled,” but the Indian pacer vehemently denied this statement.
Despite their verbal altercation, Siraj and Head later cleared the air with a brief conversation on the field. However, both players were penalized for their behavior by the match officials, and the controversy continued to simmer, influencing the atmosphere in Brisbane.
Siraj Faces Harsh Treatment in Brisbane
As Siraj prepared to bowl on the first day of the third Test, the hostility from the crowd became evident. Every time Siraj bowled, the Gabba crowd reacted with loud boos, a sharp contrast to the typical support the Indian pacer receives. The tension surrounding Siraj has been building throughout the series, with this latest episode adding to the already charged atmosphere.
In his four overs, Siraj, who has been a key player for India throughout the series, was occasionally guilty of short-pitched deliveries. He finished his first spell with figures of 0/13. Jasprit Bumrah, who is also known for his consistent bowling, had a quieter start, taking 0/8 in six overs, struggling with the conditions and the rain delays.
Rain-Marred Day and India’s Strategy
The day’s play was heavily interrupted by rain, with a 30-minute delay affecting the early sessions. The heavy drizzle forced the umpires to halt play temporarily, and despite the interruptions, Australia had a solid start at 28/0 in 13.2 overs, with Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney at the crease. Khawaja was batting on 19, while McSweeney remained unbeaten at 4.
India made two changes to their playing XI for this match. Akash Deep replaced Harshit Rana, while Ravindra Jadeja returned to the squad in place of a bowler, adding variety to the spin options. Australia, on the other hand, made one change, with Josh Hazlewood coming in for Scott Boland.
India’s Resilient Fight in the 5-match Test Series
This third Test is crucial as India and Australia are locked at 1-1 in the five-match Test series. India dominated the first Test in Perth with a massive 295-run win, but Australia bounced back strongly with a 10-wicket victory in Adelaide. The third Test in Brisbane, at the iconic Gabba, is expected to be a crucial decider in the series as both teams aim to claim the upper hand.
As Siraj looks to move past the boos and stay focused on his performance, the series remains finely poised, with both teams giving their all in pursuit of victory.
Conclusion: A Crucial Test for Siraj and India
The ongoing rivalry between Siraj and some of Australia’s top batsmen is adding extra spice to an already intense series. Despite the controversy surrounding his altercation with Travis Head, Siraj’s resilience and focus will be critical for India in the remaining matches. Whether he can rise above the crowd’s jeers and continue to perform under pressure will be key to India’s chances of success in this exciting Test series.
