India’s fiery pacer Mohammed Siraj has landed himself in hot water with the International Cricket Council (ICC) after an on-field incident during the third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, held at Lord’s Cricket Ground. The ICC fined Siraj 15% of his match fee and added one demerit point to his record for inappropriate conduct while celebrating the dismissal of Ben Duckett during England’s second innings on Day 4.

The 31-year-old was found to be in breach of Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct, specifically Article 2.5, which deals with:

“Using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”

The offense occurred in the sixth over of England’s second innings. After dismissing Ben Duckett, Siraj engaged in a celebration that involved extremely close body proximity, which was deemed potentially provocative by the match officials. Though no physical altercation occurred, the aggressive nature of the celebration warranted disciplinary action under ICC regulations.

Siraj Accepts the Sanction

Siraj admitted to the offense and accepted the ICC’s sanctions without contest, avoiding the need for a formal hearing. This is the second demerit point on his disciplinary record within the last 24 months, the first being awarded during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 for a separate incident.

According to ICC rules, accumulating four or more demerit points within a 24-month period can lead to a suspension, meaning that Siraj will need to tread carefully in the coming matches.

Performance on the Field vs. Conduct Issues

Despite the controversy, Siraj was instrumental in India’s bowling effort at Lord’s. He took two key wickets in England’s second innings—Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope—helping restrict England to 192 runs and setting India a target of 193 for victory.

However, the run chase hasn’t started on a strong note for India. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal departed without scoring, while Karun Nair and Shubman Gill fell cheaply for 14 and 6 runs, respectively. As the match heads into Day 5, India needs 135 runs with six wickets in hand, while England needs to claim the remaining wickets to take the series lead.

Reactions and Implications

The ICC’s swift action against Siraj reinforces its zero-tolerance policy towards aggressive or disrespectful player behavior. While celebrations are a part of cricket, they must remain within the bounds of sportsmanship, especially during high-stakes international encounters like the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Match referees and on-field umpires are increasingly vigilant about player interactions, especially moments that can escalate tensions or disrupt the spirit of the game.

Although Siraj is a passionate and aggressive fast bowler, which is often seen as an asset, repeated violations can impact his availability for crucial matches and potentially affect team balance, especially in tightly contested series.

ICC Code of Conduct: What is Article 2.5?

The ICC Code of Conduct Article 2.5 addresses behavior that could be seen as inciting or disparaging towards dismissed batters. Examples include:

• Provocative celebrations near the batter

• Use of offensive language

• Gestures or body movements that may be interpreted as aggressive

Level 1 breaches are considered the least serious offenses but can lead to sanctions such as fines, demerit points, or warnings. Repeated violations escalate the severity of punishments.

What This Means for Siraj Going Forward

With two demerit points now against him, Siraj is officially on the ICC’s watchlist. Should he incur further penalties during the ongoing series or upcoming tournaments, it could lead to match suspensions, especially if he reaches the four-point threshold.

Siraj’s competitive spirit is well-recognised, but this incident serves as a reminder to balance aggression with discipline. Maintaining composure in high-pressure moments is not just essential for personal conduct but also crucial for team cohesion and reputation.

Conclusion

Mohammed Siraj’s fine and demerit point over his celebration against Ben Duckett has stirred a discussion on player behavior, on-field aggression, and ICC's role in upholding the game's integrity. While Siraj continues to be a key asset for Team India, he must now remain cautious with his conduct.

As India prepares for a thrilling Day 5 at Lord’s, the team will hope that Siraj’s passion translates to wickets, not more disciplinary trouble. For cricket fans, this episode is a stark reminder that victory celebrations, though emotional, must remain respectful in the gentleman’s game.

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