Siraj was fined 20% of his match fee over the altercation he had with Head in Adelaide.
Head smashed 140 off 141 balls before getting knocked over by Siraj’s yorker. The right-arm quick celebrated the wicket animatedly and gave a fiery send-off to the left-hander, who wasn’t one bit pleased and exchanged a few words with the bowler.
The incident led to Siraj being docked 20 per cent of his match fees for breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct. Both players were also handed one demerit point each on their disciplinary records.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has now offered his perspective on the entire episode, saying that it stemmed from a misunderstanding.
“Looking back at it now, I think it was accidental the way that whole thing played out. I don't think there was any malice meant at the start,” Ponting said on the ICC Review.
“Then the way it started and almost like the misinterpretation of what had actually gone on, I think led to how it ended,” he added.
After the second day’s play in Adelaide, Travis Head said he was disappointed with how his dismissal transpired. “I said ‘well bowled’ but he thought otherwise … when he pointed me to the sheds he got a little bit back from me,” Head told Fox Cricket.
However, Siraj, who received boos from the Adelaide crowd, refuted Head’s version of events, categorically calling it a lie.
Further sharing his thoughts, Ponting stated: “I know Travis has gone and said that he said ‘well bowled’ at the start. Siraj obviously wasn't happy about being hit over the deep backward square for six the ball before.”
The Australian legend believes India skipper Rohit Sharma would expect such reactions from his fast bowlers in high-pressure situations.
“Rohit (Sharma) I'm sure would expect these fast bowlers to react like that. When they're under the pressure and they're getting hit and then they've just got a wicket you'd expect that they'd be up and about.”
Ponting said he got worried about Siraj given how the umpires react to send-off incidents taking place on the field.
“I was in comms (commentary box) at the time. As soon as I saw the send-off, I actually got worried for Siraj. I know how the umpires react to those things. Umpires and referees don't like seeing the send-off, pointed in the direction of the dressing room.”
When Siraj had come out to bat in India’s second innings, he was seen having a chat with Head. Ponting praised the duo for sorting out their differences on the field.
“It was great to see them actually chatting. When Siraj came out to bat and Travis was at short leg, they were actually clarifying what had happened out there,” said Ponting.
“They were talking amongst themselves as to what had actually happened. Both players have now had their say on what they thought happened."
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy currently stands level at 1-1, with the third Test scheduled to be held at the Gabba from December 14.