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Mohammed Siraj Fined for Aggressive Send-Off to Ben Duckett During Lord’s Test
Siraj Penalized for Level 1 Breach in IND vs ENG 3rd Test
India’s fiery pacer Mohammed Siraj has been fined 15% of his match fee and handed one demerit point for an aggressive send-off directed at England opener Ben Duckett during the fourth day of the third Test at Lord’s. The International Cricket Council (ICC) deemed the celebration as a Level 1 breach of its Code of Conduct.
What Led to the Fine
Siraj’s Close-Proximity Celebration
The incident took place during the sixth over of England’s second innings when Siraj dismissed Ben Duckett and celebrated in close proximity, which the ICC described as “excessive celebration likely to provoke an aggressive reaction”. The violation falls under Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct.
Siraj’s animated send-off, which followed a brief exchange of words and body language, was flagged by on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, third umpire Ahsan Raza, and fourth umpire Graham Lloyd.
Previous Offences and Potential Consequences
Second Demerit Point in 24 Months
This is Siraj’s second demerit point within a 24-month period. His earlier offence occurred during the Adelaide Test against Australia in December 2024. As per ICC regulations, players who accumulate four or more demerit points within two years face suspension from international matches.
In this case, match referee Richie Richardson proposed the sanction, which Siraj accepted immediately—no formal hearing was required.
Stuart Broad Reacts to ICC’s Decision
Former England pacer Stuart Broad came out in Siraj’s defense, stating, “Players aren’t robots. You’ve got to allow a bit of fire in the heat of competition.” He added that reactions like Siraj’s are part of the sport’s emotional intensity and shouldn’t always be penalized unless truly unsportsmanlike.
(📌 Related reading: India vs England 3rd Test Day 5 Drama — Jadeja’s Heroics Not Enough)
Importance of Emotional Control in High-Pressure Tests
Siraj’s dismissal of Duckett was a crucial breakthrough for India, but the emotional outburst might serve as a learning curve for the bowler. In a high-pressure environment like a Test at Lord’s, especially in a tightly contested series, maintaining composure is vital—not just for team momentum but for individual discipline records as well.
(🌐 More on ICC Conduct Code: Visit ICC’s official regulations page for full policy documentation.)
