Brisbane: Despite a 20% match fee fine and widespread criticism for his animated send-off to Australia's Travis Head during the second Test, India's pacer Mohammed Siraj has moved on from the incident.
Speaking ahead of the third Test in Brisbane, scheduled to begin on December 14, Siraj responded positively to the penalty and maintained a confident outlook.
When queried about the fine by the Sydney Morning Herald, Siraj remarked, "Yeah man, it's all good," dismissing any lingering concerns. He deflected further questions on the subject with a casual, "I'm going to the gym now," steering the focus away from the controversy.
The incident, which stemmed from a heated verbal exchange between Siraj and Head, resulted in both players receiving one demerit point from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Attention now shifts to the third Test at the iconic Gabba in Brisbane. With the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series tied at 1-1, the stakes are high as both teams vie for a place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final.
Australia rebounded strongly in the second Test at Adelaide, securing a commanding 10-wicket victory after suffering a crushing 295-run defeat in the series opener. Travis Head, instrumental in the Australian comeback, was named Player of the Match for his blistering 140 off 141 balls in the first innings, setting up the home team’s triumph.
For India, Siraj has been a key performer, taking nine wickets in the series so far at an impressive average of under 20, solidifying his role as a vital cog in the bowling attack.
As both teams prepare for the pivotal Brisbane clash, all eyes will be on Siraj’s performance on the field, with the series delicately balanced and the trophy hanging in the balance.