Sunil Gavaskar has taken a firm stand against Australian media criticisms of Mohammed Siraj’s animated send-off to Travis Head during the Adelaide Test. In his column for the Sydney Morning Herald, the Indian cricket legend responded with sharp sarcasm, calling the local commentators “saints” and questioning if their on-field behaviour during their playing days was as “impeccable” as they expect of others.
The incident in question occurred after Siraj dismissed Head, who had smashed a remarkable 140 off 141 balls, effectively setting up Australia’s 10-wicket victory. Head, having hit Siraj for boundaries earlier in the over, exchanged words with the bowler before being signalled to the pavilion.
While Siraj’s fiery gesture made headlines, local media outlets painted him as a villain, brushing aside the context of Head’s aggressive stance. Sunil Gavaskar defended Siraj, pointing out the double standards in cricket culture.
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“Siraj is getting the stick from all the ‘saints’ in Australian cricket, who, of course, were known for their impeccable behaviour on the field,” Sunil Gavaskar wrote. He further highlighted the irony of Australian fans cheering on their own players for similar actions. “These same critics would likely applaud an Aussie quick delivering a send-off to an English batter during next summer’s Ashes,” he remarked, adding a playful jab about the media’s call for Australia to regain their “mongrel” attitude.
Sunil Gavaskar also revisited the historical symbolism of the term “mongrel,” often used in Australian cricket to represent toughness. He noted how legendary figures like Glenn McGrath embraced this persona, though it came with a certain level of on-field aggression that many celebrated as part of the game.
Surprisingly, Gavaskar expressed mild astonishment at Siraj’s outburst, attributing it to a rare moment of animosity in a modern cricket era shaped by camaraderie through the IPL. “The IPL has not only made Aussie cricketers and coaches millionaires but also bridged the gap between players, reducing much of the previous hostility,” he stated.
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Despite his critique of Siraj’s actions, Sunil Gavaskar emphasized that cricket’s intensity and national pride remain undiminished. “Today, it’s mostly the bat and ball that do the talking. While it may no longer be a gentleman’s game, it’s still a hard game, played by hard men who occasionally let their emotions spill out,” he concluded.
Siraj and Head are set to reignite their battle in the ongoing Gabba Test, though Day 1 saw limited play due to rain. Fans await their next clash on the second morning.
