Mohammad Kaif, former India cricketer, has criticized pacer Mohammed Siraj and said that he misbehaved twice during the recent Adelaide Test between India and Australia.

Kaif said Siraj made two mistakes: throwing the ball at Marnus Labuschagne in the first innings when the Australian batter backed away due to movement near the sightscreen, and giving an unnecessary send-off to Travis Head in the second innings after the left-hander smashed a match-winning 140.  

In the 25th over of Australia's first innings on Day 1 of the day-night Test, an enraged Siraj slammed the ball towards the stumps when Labuschagne backed away at the last minute due to a fan's movement with beer glasses surrounding the sightscreen. Kaif stated that it was not the type of example a role model would want to establish for the following generation.

"(Marnus) Labuschagne was batting and there was some movement behind the sightscreen. He backed away but Siraj came and threw the ball near the stumps. That was also not the right way. He misbehaved. The kids watch you as a role model. You wouldn't want to set the wrong example. You wouldn't want to tarnish the image of the gentleman's game," Kaif said in a video on X.

Kaif was also unhappy with the way Siraj gave Head a sendoff after dismissing him for 140. Head scored the fastest century in day-night Tests in just 111 balls by initiating a superb counterattack against Indian bowlers, notably Siraj.  

Only after the left-hander had hit 140 did Siraj deliver a yorker to rattle his stumps. A pumped-up Siraj was then spotted sending out Head, and the Australian batter responded angrily.

Both the cricketers received fines and were given one demerit point each by the ICC for their poor on-field behavior.

"Mohammed Siraj had a chance (to send Travis head back). Travis Head top-edged one. Siraj was standing at mid-on. He ran backwards, tried with both hands but missed the catch. Ashwin applauded for the valiant effort but I believe, you create history by grabbing onto such difficult catches. The game changes if you take that catch and Head is out. Siraj had that chance to change the game as a fielder but that didn't happen," Kaif added.

"When Travis Head smashed 140, hit you to every nook and corner of the ground, flicked you for a six, You placed a deep cover, long on, deep cover, and yet he found the gap. He changed the gap by playing shots all around the park. And he did that on a difficult pitch where it wasn't easy to score runs. After that, Siraj bowled him. I understand the celebration, but I didn't like the send-off. If you know he has a weakness, then get him out early. Get him nicking to the slips or dismiss him with a bouncer, then do your celebrations, but the guy has scored 140... there was no need for a send-off like that," he said.

Kaif also said there was nothing wrongwithn the Australian spectators booing Siraj as Head was a local boy.

He said: "When you get to play in Australia, their fans will, of course, support their players. You gave a send-off to one of their players, so obviously, you will get booed. I don't think there is anything wrong there. You can't be this weak that you start complaining about getting booed."

Here is the video: