In the finals of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23, India faced Australia at The Oval in London on June 7. On the Day 2 of the game, former Australia skipper Steve Smith completed his century before getting dismissed to Shardul Thakur. Smith struck his 31st Test century as he scored 121 runs off 268 balls with the help of 19 boundaries. During his marathon knock on Day 1 and Day 2, Smith troubled Indian bowlers and didn’t let them roll on.
Meanwhile, Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj had a heated argument with Smith while he hammered him for back-to-back boundaries to reach his 31st Test hundred. In the first over of Day 2, Siraj delivered two back-to-back half-volleys to Smith, which he turned into boundaries to become the second batter in the Australian lineup to reach a century. On the very next ball, Smith pulled out at the last moment, citing a problem with the spider cam. Siraj who was already enraged after being hit for consecutive boundaries threw the ball towards Smith in frustration.
However, explaining the incident after the day, Siraj left fans in shock. When asked about it, he said that it was needed because he was enjoying it. He said, “It’s nothing. It was just some enjoyment. If you enjoy it – your mind will be relaxed. If you take too much pressure, it will affect your bowling. So, it’s nothing. It was nothing. No plans of frustrating him. I was just enjoying my bowling. I was frustrated at that time”, he further added.
India is trailing behind Australia by 318 runs
Smith went on to hit 121 runs, while Head set a new record with 163 runs in their 285-run stand, as Australia amassed 469 runs in the first innings. For India, Siraj clinched four wickets to restrict Australia from scoring 500+ runs. However, India’s response was nothing short of bizarre as opener Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli threw their wickets after getting a start. India was 71/4 when Ravindra Jadeja and Ajinkya Rahane built a partnership.
Rahane along with Jadeja added 71 runs for the fifth wicket. Jadeja in his quick innings scored 48 runs off 51 balls with the help of seven boundaries and a six. On the other hand, Rahane remained not out after scoring 29 runs off 71 balls with the help of seven boundaries. Wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat and Rahane are now the only designated batting pair for India in this innings and the team is still trailing Australia by 318 runs.
Here is how fans react to Mohammed Siraj’s comments:
Negative Aggression chhod de bhai
— . (@AamirsABD) June 9, 2023
Rohit fans want bad for Kohli, Kohli fans want bad for Rohit. Dhoni fans curse Rohit and Kohli. And now new Rutu v Gill. These noob fans and this Franchise cricket have destroyed our FanBase of cricket. The cricket will soon end and Indian Cricket will become like West Indies…
— Abhay (@abhaysrivastavv) June 9, 2023
Ye Nets me bowling Practice karta hai ki Sledgeing ? Sledgeing kabhi tujhe Trophy nahi dilayega. Bat Ball se khel kar hi trophy jeet paoge, Gaali dekar nahi. @SirajOfficial Aur Bhai tera aukat kya hai Smith ke samne. Pehle khud ka aukat banale baad me attitude dikhna.
— Soumyaranjan Sahu_LUCKY (@ItsLucky_Sahu) June 9, 2023
Looks like he forgot they also have pacers.. and much more faster and brutal ? pic.twitter.com/bMImh1HMZo
— SHUBH ?? (@DhoniKaFan07) June 9, 2023
Important for what?? ????
— Ashu??|| Harry's magi(C) (@AshuCric07) June 9, 2023
Negative aggression only nothing else
— Vimdhayak ??? (@vimdhayak_p) June 9, 2023
Yup the aggression is good. Only the only indian bowler at present has.. keep going brother
— vamsi (@Besthavamsi12) June 9, 2023
— Abdullah Masroor (@Abdullaahhhh13) June 9, 2023
Shi h bhai. Kl koi ek Banda toh aggressive dikh rha tha.
— Kartik Dangi (@kartik0502) June 9, 2023
Nautanki Kam kar and let ball do the talking. Not by throwing but by sticking to proper line and lengths.
— ???? ?? (@VaiibhavSawant) June 9, 2023
Bhai Rcb ke liye nahi khel rha hai jo har Jagah ladai krre Samne Steve smith hai Philp salt nhi ?
— Anant Verma (@anantverma5911) June 9, 2023
