India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has been fined 15 percent of his match fee and received one demerit point for an excessive send-off directed at England opener Ben Duckett on the fourth day of the third Test at Lord’s.
The incident took place during the sixth over of England’s second innings on Sunday, when Siraj dismissed Duckett and proceeded to celebrate in what the International Cricket Council (ICC) described as “excessive celebration at close proximity to the dismissed batter.” This behavior was ruled a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct, specifically Article 2.5, which relates to actions that could “provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal.”
This is the second demerit point for Siraj in a 24-month period—his first came during the Adelaide Test against Australia on December 7, 2024. Players who accumulate four or more demerit points within that window may face suspension from international cricket.
Siraj admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Richie Richardson, which meant there was no need for a formal hearing. The charge was laid by on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, with support from third umpire Ahsan Raza and fourth umpire Graham Lloyd.
The send-off sparked conversation among fans and commentators, with some defending the passion of the bowler, while others called for greater discipline. While the act didn’t escalate, the ICC’s action serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining composure and respect in high-stakes contests.
The Lord’s Test remains intense, and with India and England both fiercely competitive, such moments underline the fiery nature of this historic rivalry.
