Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has urged Mohammed Siraj to maintain his fiery attitude in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Writing in the Australian publication Code, Shastri emphasized that Siraj should not hold back his aggression, even in the face of challenges.
Recalling his tenure as coach during two victorious tours of Australia, Shastri said the Indian team had adopted a fearless approach, refusing to take a step back against the Australians. In the Adelaide Test, Siraj faced boos from the crowd after expressing his frustration toward Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head.
Shastri defended Siraj’s behavior, noting that such reactions are part of a fast bowler’s temperament. “When I was playing and coaching, my philosophy was to give back as good as you get. I encouraged my players to never take a backward step,” Shastri wrote, highlighting how this attitude became a team-wide philosophy under his leadership.
The pink-ball Test witnessed a heated exchange between Siraj and Head after the Indian pacer dismissed the Australian batter on Day 2. Both players traded verbal jabs during and after the game, adding intensity to the contest. The International Cricket Council (ICC) sanctioned both players for breaching its Code of Conduct. Siraj was fined 20% of his match fee, while Head escaped a fine but was handed a demerit point alongside Siraj.
Despite the penalties, the on-field spat added drama to the match, which Australia eventually won by 10 wickets. Siraj alleged that Head had directed abusive language toward him, but Shastri expressed confidence that both players have moved on from the incident, calling them “mature individuals.”