Travis Head has voiced his disappointment over a heated exchange with India’s fast bowler, Mohammed Siraj, after being dismissed during Australia’s first innings in the second Test match in Adelaide. The incident occurred when Head, who had been batting brilliantly, was bowled out by Siraj after hitting the pacer for a four and a six in the same over. While the dismissal was a crucial moment in the match, what followed caught many by surprise.
Following the dismissal, Siraj gave Head a fiery send-off, which clearly did not sit well with the Australian batter. Head, known for his aggressive and fearless approach, took exception to the manner in which Siraj celebrated his wicket. In a press conference after the day’s play, Head explained that he felt the send-off went “a bit too far.”
He added, “I was expecting a better reaction as there was no confrontation in the lead-up to that. It was a bit too far and I’m disappointed with a reaction like that. I’ll always stand up for myself, and we wouldn’t do that as a team,” referring to how the Indian fast bowler had pointed towards the dressing room in a taunting manner after the wicket.
The crowd’s reaction to Siraj’s behavior was also telling, with boos echoing around the Adelaide Oval after the send-off. Head, who had scored a brilliant 140 runs off 141 balls, further commented that Siraj’s actions had stirred the crowd’s emotions. He remarked, “If you raise the crowd, you will get booed. The crowd started booing him after his reaction.” Despite this, Head maintained that he was not one to back down and would always defend himself when necessary.
The exchange between the two players added an extra layer of drama to what was already an intense contest between Australia and India. It highlighted the fierce competition on the field but also shed light on the emotions and tensions that often accompany such high-stakes matches.