Mohammed Siraj Fined and Penalised by ICC After Fiery Lord’s Celebration
Mohammed Siraj, India’s fiery pace spearhead, has found himself at the center of controversy after an incident during the fourth day of the third Test against England at Lord’s. The ICC has slapped Siraj with a 15% fine on his match fee and handed him a demerit point for breaching the Code of Conduct—an incident that has stirred significant conversation in the cricketing world.
So what exactly happened? Let me walk you through it.
It was a high-pressure moment in the Test match. England’s Ben Duckett had just been dismissed by a brilliant delivery from Siraj. In the heat of the moment, Siraj celebrated passionately—but perhaps, a bit too passionately. As he followed through, he got uncomfortably close to Duckett and even made slight physical contact while the batter was walking back toward the pavilion. That action, though seemingly emotional and spontaneous, violated Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct. This article deals with the use of language, actions, or gestures that could provoke an aggressive reaction from a dismissed batter.
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This was not Siraj’s first such offense in the past 24 months, making this his second demerit point in that span. As per ICC rules, once a player accumulates four or more demerit points within two years, they convert into suspension points—which could result in match bans. So, this is a crucial moment in Siraj’s career, and he’ll need to be more mindful going forward.
What fueled further media attention was former England captain Alastair Cook’s reaction. Speaking on the BBC’s Test Match Special, Cook didn’t mince his words. He strongly criticized Siraj’s conduct, saying it crossed the line. According to him, celebrating a wicket is part of the game, but getting up in a batter’s face and making contact simply isn’t acceptable. Cook acknowledged that Duckett might’ve also walked into Siraj, but ultimately pinned the responsibility on the Indian pacer.
He said—and I quote—“You don’t need to look him in the eye from three inches and shout in his face. There should be repercussions, and there are.”
The ICC clearly agreed. Their official statement confirmed the fine and the added demerit point, reinforcing the need for players to maintain professionalism—even in emotional moments. Cricket is a passionate sport, no doubt, but there’s a line between intensity and intimidation, and according to the governing body, Siraj stepped over it.
Now, this development adds an interesting subplot to the rest of the series. India, chasing a challenging target, are under pressure, and Siraj will have to keep his fire in check while continuing to lead the attack. He’s known for his aggression and heart on the field—traits that have made him one of India's most dependable bowlers—but moments like this remind us all of the fine balance between passion and discipline in professional sport.
This wasn’t just about a fine. It was a reminder that, in cricket, your conduct is just as important as your performance.
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