‘Got to stop’: Indian villain’s act that’s ‘far worse’ than fiery send-off

India’s Test villain has been called out for another cardinal cricket sin as Aussie greats call for the bowler to be pulled into line.

Mohammed Siraj’s send-off to Travis Head was the flashpoint of the second Test in Adelaide, but it was another moment that has seen the Indian quick come under fire.

Siraj and Head are reportedly set to be charged with misconduct for their fiery exchange in the second Test when Siraj had some words for Head and gestured for the Aussie No. 5 to get off the ground after dismissing him for 140.

Australia claimed a 10-wicket win in Adelaide to level the series 1-1 heading into the third Test at the Gabba starting on Friday.

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The pair embraced on the field post-game and did their best to pour cold water on the send-off saga, but only after they shared differing versions of events.

But it’s Siraj habit of celebrating wickets with turning around to appeal to the umpire — a practice known as the ‘celebrappeal’ — that has drawn the ire of a couple Australian greats.

Siraj celebrated vigorously for a Marnus Labuschagne LBW in the first innings, despite replays showing a big inside edge.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Big Sports Breakfast, ex-Australian captain Michael Clarke criticised Siraj’s antics and said he was surprised he hadn’t been sanctioned by the ICC.

Watch Siraj’s appeal in the video player above

Mohammed Siraj of India appeals unsuccessfully to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne LBW. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

“Siraj should be fined for keeping on appealing for LBWs and not asking the umpire,” Clarke said.

“He hits the batter on the pads and just runs down like they’re out. I’m surprised the ICC haven’t fined because I remember when I was playing, you get fined every time. Brett Lee was the worst at it and they told him, ‘I you don’t turn around and ask the umpire, you’re going to be fined’.

“I’m more worried about that from Siraj than him and Travis Head.

“Siraj did it in the first Test as well. You’re OK to appeal for anything you want but you’ve got to turn around and ask the umpire.

“I’m actually surprised he hasn’t been fined. Him giving Travis Head a send-off as well, more fool him. The guy just made 140; give someone a send-off that makes five, not 140.”

Former Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark agreed snubbing the umpires was more of an issue that Siraj’s exchange with Head.

“That, I think, is far worse than what happened in the (Head) incident,” Clark said on the Big Sports Breakfast.

“And that came up and got discussed numerous times, that you can’t do that. The umpires are quite clear, and so are the rules, that you have to turn around and show respect to be asking the umpire whether it’s out. It didn’t look great, he ran down the wicket, carried on, ‘that’s out’ … then when they showed the replay, he’d inside-edged it on to his pad.

“If I was a match referee or an official, I’d be sort of saying, ‘Mate, that’s got to stop, because that doesn’t look great and that puts so much pressure on the umpire, in an inappropriate way’.”

Clarke added he hopes Siraj and Head aren’t sanctioned by the ICC for the send-off, with Code Sports reporting they may have to appear at an ICC disciplinary hearing.

“I hope it’s play on,” he said.

“They will get a naughty-boy smack on the wrist we all hope, I’m sure they’ll get a fine, which they’ll probably pay with the pocket change that they’ve got, and then I hope it gets on.

“It didn’t look great … but there was a lot of confusion about what was said. Mohammed Siraj thought one thing, waves his arms, Travis Head was saying one thing. To be fair, in the ground, it added to the theatre of the day.

“Every series needs a villain – Mohammed Siraj is now that villain and I think it will add great spice to the series come Brisbane, where when he walks out to bat and when he comes out to bowl, it will be on for young and old; in a good confrontational way.

“I’d be disappointed if they were rubbed out of the game, that’d disappoint everyone I think.”

Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj exchanged words. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

Aside from the send-off, Siraj also took issue with Labuschagne pulling out of a delivery during the evening session on Day 1 because a fan carrying a massive beer snake was blocking the sight screen.

Siraj pegged the ball at the stumps as Labuschagne pulled out of his stance just as Siraj was about to bowl.

Mark Taylor told the Willow Talk podcast: “I don’t know who instigated it, but it’s not a good look, particularly when a guy makes 140.

“I’d like to see someone have a little word to Mohammed Siraj. I like his competitive nature. He’s a fine bowler.

“But I’d like someone to have a word with him because I don’t like the fact that when he hits a guy on the pads, and he thinks he’s got him out lbw, he continues to run down the pitch, past the batsman, almost gets to the keeper and then looks around to the umpire to see if he’s going to give it out.

“That’s got to stop, and if it doesn’t stop shortly, someone, and it’ll be the umpires or the match referee who might stop it for him, and give him a game off. We don’t want that.

“Someone like a Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli needs to go up to him, and say ‘mate, yeah be excited, be aggressive, get in batsmen’s face, love all that, but that is disrespecting the game and the umpire’.”

Siraj and Head shake hands after the Adelaide Test.

Head, Siraj have their say on send-off

Head said in his press conference after Day 2 he told Siraj “well bowled”, but lip readers and commentators believe Head uttered some choice profanities in Siraj’s direction as he left the field.

Siraj responded on Indian broadcaster Star Sports, saying Head abused him and claiming he didn’t say anything to the Aussie batter.

“It was a great battle going on (with Head) and he batted really well. When you get hit for a six on a good ball, it fires you up differently,” Siraj told Star Sports Hindi.

“And when I got him bowled, I only celebrated and he abused me and you saw that on TV too. I only celebrated at the start, I didn’t say anything to him.

“What he said in the press conference wasn’t right, it’s a lie that he only said ‘well bowled’ to me. It’s there for everyone to see that that’s not what he said to me.

“We respect everyone, it’s not like we disrespect other players. I respect everybody because cricket is a gentleman’s game, but what he did wasn’t right. I didn’t like it at all.”

“He got a little bite back from me,” Head admitted.

“Slightly disappointed with the way that transpired with a couple of the past innings but it is what it is. If that’s how they want to represent themselves, then so be it.

“I don’t want to give it too much airtime but I feel like the way I play the game, I would have liked a better reaction.”

Head told the ABC post-game: “He’s come out then and said it was a little bit of a misunderstanding … I think we’ll move on, we’ve had a great week, so let’s not ruin it … I’m sweet, and I think he’s the same, and we move on.”