On the first day of the second test between India and Australia, the tension between the two teams escalated as Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj angrily threw the ball at Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne. This incident occurred after Labuschagne pulled away while Siraj was running in to bowl. The incident was caught on camera and has added an extra edge to the already intense match for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Mitchell Starc's career-best 6-48 performance for Australia put India at a disadvantage, but Nitish Kumar Reddy's aggressive 42 helped India reach a respectable total of 180 runs.
Siraj-Labuschagne Incident Sparks Tension in IND-AUS Test Match
On the opening day of the second test between India and Australia, tempers flared between the two teams when Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj angrily hurled the ball at Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne.
Background:
The incident occurred after Labuschagne withdrew while Siraj attempted to bowl his delivery. Siraj had previously sledged Labuschagne, who had scored 47 runs. Labuschagne's action was viewed by Siraj as a form of gamesmanship and angered him.
The Incident:
Siraj threw the ball directly at Labuschagne, who was standing at the non-striker's end. The ball narrowly missed Labuschagne and struck him on the arm. The Australian team was visibly upset by the incident, and captain Pat Cummins lodged a formal complaint with the umpires.
Aftermath:
The incident added extra tension to the already fierce match. Mitchell Starc's career-best 6-48 performance gave Australia the advantage, but Nitish Kumar Reddy's 42 helped India reach a respectable total of 180 runs.
Top 5 FAQs:
1. Why did Siraj throw the ball at Labuschagne?
Siraj claimed that Labuschagne had deliberately pulled away while he was bowling, which he perceived as disrespectful and unsporting.
2. What was the punishment for Siraj's actions?
Siraj was fined 25% of his match fee for his actions.
3. Has this type of incident happened before in cricket?
Yes, there have been several instances in cricket history where players have thrown the ball at opponents in anger. One notable example is when Shane Warne famously threw the ball at Marlon Samuels in a 2003 test match.
4. What is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a test cricket series contested annually between India and Australia. It is named after former Australian cricketer Allan Border and former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar.
5. What is the current status of the IND-AUS series?
Australia currently leads the series 1-0 after winning the first test in Nagpur. The second test is underway in Delhi, and India will need to win to keep their hopes of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy alive.
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