New Delhi, December 10 (IANS). Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has urged the cricket world to move on from the Travis Head-Mohammed Siraj incident that sparked controversy during the pink-ball Test in Adelaide.
In this controversy that started on the second day, Siraj gave a rousing farewell to Head after dismissing him for 140 runs in Australia’s first innings. After this incident, the spectators protested against him and there was a situation of tension on the field, which continued even during the match.
While the two players appeared to be making up while batting in India’s second innings, the ICC imposed the ban on Monday. Siraj was fined 20 percent of his match fee for violating the ICC Code of Conduct. Head was also penalized for breaching Article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which deals with “abuse of a player, player support personnel, umpire or match referee during an international match”.
Siraj and Head received one demerit point each in their disciplinary record, their first offense within the last 24 months.
Harbhajan Singh described the ICC’s decision as extremely harsh, but expressed hope that it would end the controversy. The former spinner expressed his view that such collisions are part of the game. However, he stressed the importance of moving forward and focusing on the upcoming Test at the Gabba.
Harbhajan told Star Sports, “I think the ICC is too strict on the players, these things happen on the field, obviously, forget what happened and move on, the players have reconciled and talked to each other.” Anyway, the ICC has punished the players. Let’s put that aside and move on, obviously. Let’s focus on cricket instead of all these controversies. It’s enough.”
Fellow Indian spinner Piyush Chawla also weighed in on the matter and expressed similar sentiments. While he acknowledged emotions could flare up again in the next Test, he insisted the Head-Siraj incident in Adelaide should be put behind them.
Chawla said, “You can’t really say who was wrong and who was right here. I think this matter should end here, there is no need to take it to the next match or the fourth Test. Let’s focus on cricket. Things will heat up again in Brisbane, but what happened here should stay here.”
The third Test match is going to start on December 14 in Brisbane, so the stage is set for another exciting match. India would like to bounce back after the tough defeat in Adelaide, while Australia will try to maintain their momentum.
-IANS
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