Travis Head Did Not Say, 'Well Bowled' To Mohammed Siraj: Indian Pacer Refutes Aussies' Claims

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024, famous for its aggressive and dramatic moments, delivered yet another controversial episode. Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj faced backlash for his fiery celebration and verbal send-off after dismissing Travis Head. The incident sparked criticism, forcing Siraj counter the Australian star batter's comments. (More Cricket News)

Siraj has refuted Travis Head's claim of saying "well bowled" during the Pink-ball Test alleging him of gross misrepresentation of what transpired after the southpaw's dismissal.

Siraj's fiery celebration after dismissing Head, who scored a counterattacking 140, sparked heated exchanges, adding drama to the second day of the Pink-ball Test here on Saturday.

Expressing disappointment at Siraj's conduct, Head claimed that he said "well bowled" after being castled by a low toss, a statement the Indian dismissed as a lie.

바카라�It was a good battle. I loved bowling to him. He has batted really well for his 140,바카라� Siraj told Harbhajan Singh during an interaction on Star Sports.

'It's A Lie.....'

바카라�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,바카라� said Siraj.

바카라�It바카라�s a lie that he said 바카라�well bowled바카라� to me."

The incident unfolded after Siraj, having dropped the local hero on 76 earlier in the day, conceded a six to him. The Hyderabadi responded immediately, castling Head with a low full toss and celebrating animatedly, while instructing him to walk back.

Head reacted with a few verbal volleys of his own before leaving for the dressing room. Siraj was subsequently booed by the record 50,000-plus Adelaide crowd. The pacer was later seen discussing the crowd's reaction with the umpires.

"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 바카라�well bowled.바카라� You can go and check the highlights again," Siraj said.

"We don바카라�t disrespect anyone. I respect every cricketer. Cricket is a gentleman바카라�s game but the way acted after getting out was uncalled for.바카라�

Head's brilliant innings of 141-ball 140 was the backbone of Australia's total of 337 in 87.3 overs, even as wickets fell around him. He played a pivotal role in helping Australia secure a commanding 157-run first-innings lead.

"Well, I said 'well bowled', but he thought otherwise when he pointed me to the sheds. Yeah, I was slightly disappointed with the way that transpired with a couple of the past innings," Head told 'Fox Cricket' on Saturday.

"But, yeah, it is what it is if they want to react like that. And that's how they want to represent themselves and so be it."

Former India off-spinner Harbhajan, who was involved in the infamous Monkey-gate scandal in Australia in 2008, backed Siraj.

"You did right. He (Travis Head) never said 바카라�well bowled.바카라� Australians don바카라�t say this to anyone. I have had my fair shares of battles with them in the past. You should be proud of yourself. You were excellent,바카라� said Harbhajan.

Nevertheless, India suffered a crushing defeat in the 2nd Test against Australia in Adelaide, as the hosts maintained their dominance in the Pink-ball Test with a massive 10-wicket victory on Sunday.

The win, achieved in just two-and-a-half days, leveled the five-Test series at 1-1 and exposed a completely out-of-sorts performance from the Men in Blue.

The 2nd Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 marked the shortest-ever Test between India and Australia in terms of balls bowled.

(With PTI inputs)