Mohammed Siraj accuses Travis Head of lying: 'You can go and check the highlights again'

A Test series between fierce rivals India and Australia is considered incomplete without a bit of drama and controversy, either between players on the field or with spectators off it. And the ongoing five-Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy appears to have got its fair share of run-ins so far, the most prominent of which is between India pacer Mohammed Siraj and Australian middle-order batter Travis Head.

Head flayed the Indian bowling unit on Day 2 of the pink-ball Test at the Adelaide Oval, smashing a superb 140 off 141 balls at his home ground to help the hosts collect a sizeable 157-run lead after bowling India out for 180.

The southpaw would have been eyeing a double ton when he was castled by low full toss from Siraj that originally was meant to be a yorker. That was followed by a send-off from the fired-up pacer and an exchange of words between the two, with the crowd at the Adelaide Oval booing Siraj before giving the departing Head a standing ovation.

Head expressed disappointment at Siraj’s reaction after his dismissal in a chat with the broadcasters after the end of the day’s play, while adding that he had said “well bowled” after getting cleaned up by the pacer. Siraj, however, did not mince words while responding to Head’s comments on Sunday morning, shortly before start of play on Day 3 of the second Test, accusing him of lying.

“It’s a lie that he said ‘well bowled’ to me.

“You can see what he actually said on TV. Initially, I only celebrated but he was the one who started the conversation. In the press conference, he lied that he said ‘well bowled.’ You can go and check the highlights again," Siraj told Indian spin legend Harbhajan Singh on Star Sports before the start of the day’s play.

“We don’t disrespect anyone. I respect every cricketer. Cricket is a gentleman’s game but the way acted after getting out was uncalled for,” Siraj added.

The Hyderabadi pacer, who finished with figures of 4/98 on Day 2, however did praise Head for his outstanding knock and added that he “loved bowling to him”.

“It was a good battle. I loved bowling to him. He has batted really well for his 140.

“When you get hit for a six on your good ball, it kind of gets annoying. It ignites your passion. When I got him out, I celebrated but he abused me,” Siraj added.

Head’s heroics at his home ground continues his love affair with the Indian team. He had starred in Pat Cummins and Co’s triumph in the World Test Championship final at The Oval with a game-changing 163.

Later that year, the 30-year-old would score 137 off 120 balls to help Australia vanquish an undefeated India in the final of the ICC World Cup and won cricket’s showpiece event for a record-extending sixth time.