ICC Criticised Over Siraj Fine: England Support Indian Pacer Amid Lord’s Firestorm
The ICC has come under fresh criticism after fining Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj for his fiery send-off of England opener Ben Duckett during the fourth day of the 3rd Test between India and England at Lord’s. The incident, which sparked animated reactions from both camps, has once again ignited debate over ICC’s disciplinary consistency, with several England players coming to Siraj’s defence, calling the intensity “good for cricket.”
Siraj was docked 15% of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct, specifically for “excessive celebration too close to the dismissed batter.” ICC criticised over Siraj fine
🔥 What Happened?
During the intense morning session of Day 4 at Lord’s, Siraj trapped Duckett LBW with a delivery that nipped back sharply. What followed was an aggressive send-off — Siraj roared in Duckett’s face, pumping his fists and walking toward the departing batter in animated fashion. ICC criticised over Siraj fine
The umpires intervened, and shortly after, the ICC confirmed Siraj’s fine. The decision stirred immediate reaction from cricketing circles, especially given the nature of the Test — tightly fought with emotions running high on both sides. ICC criticised over Siraj fine
🧨 England Players Defend Siraj: “Love the Tension”
Interestingly, it wasn’t just Indian fans or players who defended Siraj’s actions. England’s own cricketers, while acknowledging the heat of the moment, expressed support for letting players show emotion on the field.
One England player, quoted anonymously by The Guardian, said: ICC criticised over Siraj fine
“It’s a Test match at Lord’s. We’re here to compete. Siraj was in the zone and it showed. I personally love the tension.”
Another England squad member reportedly told the BBC: ICC criticised over Siraj fine
“If we start sanitizing every moment of aggression, the fire goes out of the contest. We don’t want things to get personal, but this wasn’t one of those cases.”
This public support has only strengthened the narrative that ICC’s response was disproportionate and possibly biased in application. ICC criticised over Siraj fine
🧠 Was ICC’s Punishment Too Harsh?
The ICC’s Code of Conduct aims to ensure that players “respect opponents and the spirit of the game.” However, the subjective nature of such guidelines often leads to inconsistencies. ICC criticised over Siraj fine
Critics point to several moments in recent Tests where similar or worse reactions from other players did not result in penalties. A few examples include: ICC criticised over Siraj fine
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David Warner’s repeated send-offs in the Ashes
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Kagiso Rabada’s chest-bump incident with Joe Root
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Ben Stokes’ animated celebrations, often inches away from batters
In all these cases, the ICC’s actions were either lenient or non-existent. That’s why Siraj’s punishment — for what many consider a natural, adrenaline-fueled reaction — has reignited accusations of double standards.
🔁 Flashpoints Galore: Gill vs Crawley, Siraj vs Duckett
The Siraj-Duckett exchange was not the only flare-up during the Lord’s Test. Earlier in the match, Shubman Gill and Zak Crawley were involved in a verbal spat after the England opener celebrated a boundary a little too vocally in front of Gill. ICC criticised over Siraj fine
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Gill responded with a stare-down, leading to on-field umpires stepping in.
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Crawley later gestured toward the Indian dressing room after reaching his fifty.
These sequences indicate that tempers were running high — but also that both sides were equally involved in the tension. This adds fuel to the argument that Siraj’s fine singles out one player unfairly.
🎙️ Reactions from the Indian Camp
India skipper Rohit Sharma didn’t directly address the fine but remarked post-match:
“We play with passion. Sometimes that shows on the field. As long as it’s within limits, I think it makes the game better.” ICC criticised over Siraj fine
Head coach Rahul Dravid, usually calm and diplomatic, said during the press conference:
“I didn’t see anything malicious. Siraj thrives on intensity — that’s when he bowls his best.”
📜 ICC’s Statement
In its official statement, the ICC said:
“Mohammed Siraj was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to using language, actions or gestures which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal.” ICC criticised over Siraj fine
While the rulebook backs the fine, the cricketing world continues to question the selective enforcement of such rules. ICC criticised over Siraj fine
🧾 What Does Level 1 Breach Mean?
Under ICC guidelines:
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Level 1 offenses are the lowest tier
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Penalties may include official reprimand or a fine up to 50% of the match fee
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No suspension points are awarded for Level 1 breaches unless repeated
In Siraj’s case, the 15% fine may seem minor, but the optics and implications are far larger — especially given how frequently these decisions are debated. ICC criticised over Siraj fine ICC criticised over Siraj fine
🏁 Final Thoughts: Let Passion Breathe?
As cricket strives to remain relevant in an age of fast entertainment and short attention spans, many believe that intensity and rivalry — not mindless aggression, but raw energy — are essential for fan engagement.
The Siraj fine and ICC criticism underscores a wider question: Are cricket authorities overly sanitizing the game? Or are they simply struggling to apply their own rules consistently? ICC criticised over Siraj fine
Either way, the Lord’s Test has ensured that cricket fans will be watching the 4th Test in Manchester not just for the runs and wickets, but also for the emotions and drama. ICC criticised over Siraj fine
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