The intensity of the Lord’s Test between India and England spilt over into controversy on Day 4, as Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj was fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct. The penalty came after Siraj’s aggressive celebration following the dismissal of England opener Ben Duckett — a moment that drew sharp criticism from former England captain Alastair Cook.
Siraj was found guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which pertains to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal during an international match.” The incident occurred during a fiery opening spell from Siraj, who removed both Duckett and Ollie Pope in quick succession to put India in control early on Day 4.
After casting Duckett with a searing delivery, Siraj celebrated in his follow-through, walking up close to the departing batter and making slight contact. This act crossed the line, according to the match officials. The ICC’s decision to penalise Siraj also included the addition of one demerit point to his disciplinary record, taking his tally to two within 24 months.
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The intensity of the Lord’s Test between India and England spilt over into controversy on Day 4, as Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj was fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct. The penalty came after Siraj’s aggressive celebration following the dismissal of England opener Ben Duckett — a moment that drew sharp criticism from former England captain Alastair Cook.
Siraj was found guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which pertains to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal during an international match.” The incident occurred during a fiery opening spell from Siraj, who removed both Duckett and Ollie Pope in quick succession to put India in control early on Day 4.
🚨 FINE FOR MOHAMMED SIRAJ 🚨
– Siraj has been fined 15% of match fees for his celebration after the wicket of Duckett. pic.twitter.com/Dxte2C9nyO
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 14, 2025
After casting Duckett with a searing delivery, Mohammed Siraj celebrated in his follow-through, walking up close to the departing batter and making slight contact. This act crossed the line, according to the match officials. The ICC’s decision to penalise Siraj also included the addition of one demerit point to his disciplinary record, taking his tally to two within 24 months.
While Siraj accepted the sanction and there was no formal hearing, the reaction from the cricketing world was immediate. Speaking on BBC’s Test Match Special, Alastair Cook condemned the act, saying: “You’ve got him out — you don’t need to look him in the eye from three inches and shout in his face. That crossed the line.”
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Cook further questioned whether Duckett played a part in escalating the situation by walking directly into Siraj’s path but maintained there should be consequences. “Celebrate a wicket like you mean it, but there should be no physical contact,” he added.
The charged moment reflected the heightened emotions of a tightly contested match that has delivered intensity and drama across all five days. While Siraj accepted the sanction and there was no formal hearing, the reaction from the cricketing world was immediate. Speaking on BBC’s Test Match Special, Alastair Cook condemned the act, saying: “You’ve got him out — you don’t need to look him in the eye from three inches and shout in his face. That crossed the line.”
