IND vs AUS 2nd Test, Mohammad Siraj vs Travis Head: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has termed Mohammed Siraj's rousing send-off to Australian batsman Travis Head as "unnecessary" after the pacer dismissed him for 140 on day two of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval.

Gavaskar expressed his disagreement with Siraj's actions while speaking on Star Sports, emphasizing the context of Head's innings. The legendary batsman highlighted that Head had played a brilliant inning, becoming a local hero with his eighth Test century and second against India, and that Siraj's over-enthusiastic celebration was inappropriate.

Gavaskar said, “It is unnecessary if you ask me. The guy has scored 140 runs, he has not been out for one or two runs. You don't give a farewell to someone who has batted brilliantly and won the hearts of the audience. Instead of becoming a hero for getting him out, Siraj has become a villain.” He suggested that Siraj's actions cost him the chance to win the respect of the local audience. “If Siraj had just clapped after that dismissal, he would have been a hero for everyone present in the stadium. Instead, he got criticism from the audience, and that is understandable.”

Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden also weighed in, attributing Siraj's actions to emotions running high in the heat of the contest. While Hayden defended Siraj's intensity as a bowler, he stressed the need for decorum in such situations.

Hayden commented, "It was probably a bit of emotion and passion from Siraj, who bowled with all his heart. But when you are facing a local hero who has just scored 140, you need to show some humility."

Hayden praised Head's innings, calling it a masterclass of controlled aggression, and said Siraj missed the opportunity to show sportsmanship on the big stage. Travis Head's innings were the backbone of Australia's 337 runs in the first innings. The left-handed batsman hit 17 fours and four sixes in his 140-run innings off 141 balls and entertained the spectators in Adelaide by counterattacking.

While all attention was on the Siraj-Head incident, the Indian pacer impressed with figures of 4-98. His pace attack rattled Australia's lower order and was well supported by Jasprit Bumrah, who finished with figures of 4-61.