India star's 'arrogant' act that could hand Australia huge advantage for rest of Test series
Mohammed Siraj copped plenty of flak from cricket fans and no love from the umpire.
India may have won the first cricket Test against Australia, but did they get on the wrong side of the umpires? The tourists cruised to a 295-run victory in Perth, inflicting a huge early blow on Australia in the blockbuster five-Test series.
But a curious moment involving fast bowler Mohammed Siraj raised plenty of eyebrows around the cricket world, with some suggesting it might hamper India's chances moving forward. Siraj was convinced he had Travis Head trapped lbw early in the Aussie's innings on Monday, and didn't even bother to turn around to appeal to the umpire.
Instead, Siraj simply ran through with his arms outstretched, convinced umpire Richard Kettleborough would raise the finger. But Kettleborough's finger stayed down, and the veteran umpire appeared none-too pleased that Siraj didn't bother to appeal.
Siraj starts celebrating!
Oooops! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Wk5petloTg— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 25, 2024
Even when a bowler is convinced the batter is out, it's a common courtesy to turn around and appeal to the umpire. India captain Jasprit Bumrah opted to review Kettleborough's decision, and ball-tracking showed the ball was clipping leg stumps.
But because Kettleborough's original decision was not out, it remained 'umpire's call' and Head was given a reprieve. If Siraj had simply turned and appealed to Kettleborough, the English umpire might very well have raised the finger and it'd be a different story.
Could Mohammed Siraj's actions affect remainder of series?
Head cashed in and went on to make 89. And although it didn't change the outcome of the match, it might have the ability to change the outcome of the series. Touring teams in particular are wise to keep the umpires on their side and not do anything which might make the officials err on the side of caution and side with the home team.
There was another dismissal earlier in the match in which Siraj barely bothered to appeal, and on that occasion he was lucky the decision went his way. But will the umpires be more inclined to side with the Australians in future after Siraj's act that was deemed 'arrogant' and 'disrespectful' on social media?
Speaking in commentary for Channel 7, Aussie legend Matthew Hayden said: "He is an excitable character, Mohammed Siraj. Laced with plenty of passion and energy. But you have to look at the umpire, son.
"I dare say he would have got a talking to from the umpire as well because we are all taught that - in respect to the umpire - appeal by all means and make it passionate, but look back. They are not standing there for no reason."
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Mohammed Siraj cops backlash from cricket fans
Siraj copped plenty of backlash from fans on social media, with many saying he committed a cardinal cricket sin. In tandem with captain Bumrah he destroyed the Aussie batting line-up, taking 2-20 in the first innings and 3-51 in the second. He snared the key scalps of Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja in the second dig after getting Marnus Labuschagne and Mitch Marsh in the first.
Bumrah was the bowling star for India with eight wickets, and performed superbly while filling in for regular captain Rohit Sharma - who remained in India for the birth of his second child. Bumrah will happily make way for Rohit when the captain returns for the second Test in Adelaide on December 6.
He should be fined he always does this
— ED (@edmund59) November 25, 2024
So disrespectful. Stuart Broad used to do this and even as an Englishman, it annoyed me. There should be fines for doing this
— Alex Syed (@alexsyed1) November 25, 2024
too much overconfidence
ha ha
saw this from Brett Lee as well
he used to pressurize the umpire by not looking ump and start small celebrating
mental game with ump
nice though— Sports Fever (@sports_fever24) November 25, 2024
🤡🤡🤡
— Shawn Alderson (@Aldersonaldo) November 25, 2024
This bloke is so unlikeable
— Sam Harvey (@_SamHarvey) November 25, 2024