NEW DELHI: Skipper Pat Cummins deemed it unnecessary to step into the verbal exchange between Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj, stating that the Australian vice-captain is mature enough to handle such situations independently. The captain praised his squad’s conduct during the ongoing series with India.
Head’s brilliant innings of 140 runs off 141 deliveries in the day-night Test proved decisive, helping Australia secure a commanding 10-wicket victory. This win helped them draw level in the five-match series at 1-1, following their earlier loss at Perth.
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A verbal altercation ensued after Siraj dismissed Head, with the latter maintaining he had merely said ‘well bowled’ to acknowledge the delivery.
The controversy deepened when Siraj strongly contested Head’s version of events, explicitly calling it a ‘lie’ after Head suggested that the Indian bowler’s send-off was unnecessary and that he had simply complimented the delivery.
“Travis Head is vice-captain of the team, so he’s a big boy. He can talk for himself,” Cummins said during the post-match media interaction.
Siraj denied the Head’s claim and said, “I didn’t say anything to him. In the press conference, he said the wrong thing. He lied. No way he said ‘well-bowled’.”
“As a general rule, you normally let the boys be themselves. If you ever need to step in to intervene as captain, I would, but as I said, for our group, I’ve never really felt like I’ve needed to do that,” Cummins further said while addressing the issue.
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Recognising the significance of the high-profile five-match series with packed crowds at stadiums, Cummins remarked: “It’s a big series so there’s a lot riding on it. The umpire stepped in pretty quickly, and that was the end of it.”
“To be honest, they can do whatever they want. I’m more worried about our boys. Like always, I thought our boys’ behaviour was excellent this week, like it seems to be every week.”
Cummins went on to praise Head’s match-turning knock, highlighting his ability to put pressure on the opposition and take control of the game.
“When Trav walked out to the crease yesterday, that was a turning point. Every time he walks out, the game’s kind of in the balance, can go one of two ways and within the space of a session or so, he really took the game out of their hands.
“He just puts the pressure right back on the opposition, hits into weird areas. Whenever he feels like there’s a small opportunity, he’ll up the ante and take the game away from the opposition. So, amazing. He’s done it time and again for us in many different formats, he’s super impressive.”
