On Monday, December 9, the ICC announced sanctions for Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj and Australian batter Travis Head as sanctions following their on-field scuffle on Day one of the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy played in Adelaide. 

Siraj was fined 20 percent of his match fee, while Head avoided a financial penalty but was also reprimanded.

Both players were given one demerit point each under the ICC Code of Conduct, marking their first offense in 24 months. Though the intensity of the exchange was at its peak, the ICC did not suspend them.

What led to the heated exchange?

The confrontation happened on the third day of the second Test when Siraj dismissed Head after being hit for a six on the previous delivery. The Indian pacer bowled a perfect yorker to send Head back for a well-fought 140. However, the dismissal was followed by an aggressive send-off from Siraj, which sparked a verbal exchange.

The hometown crowd at Adelaide Oval, unhappy with their star batter's treatment, began booing Siraj relentlessly. The situation escalated as the two players exchanged heated words on the field.

ICC sanctions and code violations

The ICC issued a statement explaining the penalties:

Siraj was found guilty of violating Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which prohibits “language, actions or gestures which disparage or could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal.”

Head was sanctioned under Article 2.13, which deals with the “abuse of a player, player support personnel, umpire, or match referee during an international match.”

While Siraj faced a fine, both players received demerit points and avoided harsher punishment, as this was their first disciplinary breach in the last two years.

Travis Head said that Siraj misunderstood his words on the field, "He misunderstood a compliment, and I did not appreciate the send-off, "Head explained in the post-match press conference.

However, Siraj rebuked Head's claim and called out to him for "lying". Speaking candidly Siraj said, “After bowling him out, I celebrated. Then he abused me. You can see it on TV as well. I didn’t say anything to him. In the press conference, he said the wrong thing. He lied. No way he said ‘well bowled.’”

Despite the tension, Head later admitted to swearing back at Siraj but confirmed that the two spoke after the Test match and resolved the matter.

With the series now leveled at 1-1, India and Australia are set for a real battle in the third Test, which begins on December 14 at the Gabba in Brisbane. Fans will eagerly watch how both teams perform as the rivalry heats up further.