The ongoing drama between Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj during the second Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy has reached a boiling point, with both players being penalized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for their heated exchange. The fiery confrontation, which took place during the Day-Night Test at Adelaide, saw Siraj and Head each handed a demerit point following their altercation.

As India and Australia prepare for the upcoming third Test at The Gabba, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh is hoping the sanctions will bring closure to this saga and shift the focus back to cricket. The incident unfolded on Day 2 of the Test, when Siraj used strong language and made gestures towards Travis Head.

As a result, Siraj was fined 20% of his match fee for breaching the ICC’s code of conduct. The altercation added another layer of drama to an already intense match, which Australia eventually won by 10 wickets in the first session of Day 3.  Despite the tension on the field, both players reportedly patched things up off the field, with Head and Siraj putting their differences behind them.

WATCH – On This Day: Ishan Kishan’s Record-Breaking 200 Against Bangladesh

However, the ICC’s decision to penalize both players has led to ongoing discussions, with many hoping that the situation would now be laid to rest. Harbhajan Singh, known for his fiery on-field persona during his playing days, expressed his opinion on the issue, stating that the ICC’s sanctions were perhaps too strict. In his view, such exchanges are a natural part of the game, especially in high-stakes encounters like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

“These things happen on the ground. It’s the heat of the moment, and we should move on,” Harbhajan said on Star Sports. He acknowledged that the players had reconciled, and urged everyone to stop stoking the flames of controversy. With the third Test fast approaching, Harbhajan emphasized the importance of focusing on cricket rather than continuing to dwell on the incident. “Let’s focus on Brisbane now, and leave all this behind,” he added.

Piyush Chawla, another former Indian spinner, echoed Harbhajan’s sentiments. He agreed that the situation between Siraj and Head should be put to rest, as the ICC had already handed out their punishments.

Chawla acknowledged that tensions could rise again in Brisbane, given the intense nature of the series, but stressed that the feud should not be carried forward. “You can’t really say who was right or wrong. What I feel is that this should be the end of this,” Chawla commented. He also noted that while emotions could flare up during the next Test, the Adelaide incident should remain in the past.

ALSO READ: Michael Vaughan Advocates Four-Day Tests: Thursday to Sunday Matches For Modern Fans

With both Harbhajan and Chawla calling for closure, it’s clear that the focus should now return to the cricket, especially with the high stakes of the upcoming Test match in Brisbane. The players involved have already reconciled, and it’s time to move on and let the cricket do the talking. Fans and pundits alike are hoping that the rest of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be remembered for the quality of the play rather than the off-field drama.