New Delhi: The legendary Sunil Gavaskar has hit back at the Australian players, experts and fans for their treatment of Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Siraj has been subjected to relentless trolling by the fans ever since his heated face-off with Aussie batter Travis Head on Day 2 of the 2nd Test between India and Australia in Adelaide.
Siraj had given an aggressive send-off to Head after dismissing him on 140 and getting abused by the Australian batter. He was later booed by the crowd at Adelaide while several former Australian cricketers and experts criticised the Indian pacer for his actions. The booing continued for Siraj in the ongoing 3rd Test at the Gabba in Brisbane as the pacer was jeered again by the home crowd on Day 1 and Day 2.
In his column for the Sydney Morning Herald, Gavaskar hit back at Siraj’s critics and called out the double standards of the Australian public and former players. Gavaskar said the Australian fans and experts would have cheered for him if an Australian pacer had given a similar send-off to an England batter during the Ashes. He also took a dig at ex-Australian cricketers behaving as if they were ‘saints’.
“Siraj is getting the stick from all the “saints” in Australian cricket who, of course, were known for their impeccable behaviour on the field. It may have incensed Australian fans that Siraj’s fiery send-off was directed at Head, who scored a magnificent century and was also the local boy,” Gavaskar wrote in his column.
“But the same people will cheer if an Aussie quick gives a similar send-off to an English batter during next summer’s Ashes. There were some suggestions in the media that the Australians should get back to being the mongrels they once were. So, do mongrels simply purr, or do they bark, too?” he added.
The end of a sensational innings! 🗣️#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/kEIlHmgNwT
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 7, 2024
Siraj and Head charged for heated spat
Both Siraj and Head were charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for their heated spat in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide and were handed one demerit point each. While Siraj was also fined 20% of his match fee, Head escaped any financial punishment. While the duo had ended the differences after the conclusion of the Adelaide Test, the brewing animosity between Siraj and the home crowd will certainly spice up the rest of the series.
The five-match series is currently locked at 1-1 after India and Australia managed a win apiece in the first two Test matches. India defeated Australia by 295 runs in the first Test in Perth to go 1-0 up before the hosts bounced back with a thumping 10-wicket victory in the second Test in Adelaide to level the series 1-1.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar slammed Australian ‘saints’ for their treatment of Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Siraj has been constantly booed by the Aussie fans after his heated spat with Travis Head in the 2nd Test in Adelaide. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
