Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj endured a hostile reception from the Australian crowd on Day 1 of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba, Brisbane. Every time Siraj ran in to bowl, he was met with loud boos, a continuation of the tension that began in the second Test in Adelaide.
Boos Echo Across Gabba
India, after winning their third consecutive toss, opted to bowl first on a green-tinged Gabba pitch under overcast skies. Jasprit Bumrah opened the attack with a tight over to Usman Khawaja. However, the atmosphere turned hostile when Siraj took the new ball. The Brisbane crowd erupted in boos, which followed him throughout the over, marking an unwelcome reception for the Indian bowler.
The animosity towards Siraj traces back to the second Test, where he gave a fiery send-off to Travis Head after dismissing him for a match-winning 140. Siraj’s reaction, likely fueled by the punishment Head dealt earlier in the over, sparked controversy. Head later claimed he had complimented Siraj with a “well bowled,” a remark the Indian pacer denied. The ICC sanctioned both players, with Siraj fined 20% of his match fee, while Head received a demerit point.
Team Changes for the Gabba Clash
India made two changes to their playing XI following their 10-wicket defeat in Adelaide. Ravindra Jadeja replaced Ravichandran Ashwin, while debutant Akash Deep came in for Harshit Rana, who had struggled in the previous match.
For Australia, Josh Hazlewood returned to the squad after recovering from an injury, replacing Scott Boland. The five-match series, now level at 1-1, set the stage for an intense contest on a lively Gabba pitch.
Conditions Favor Bowlers
The Gabba pitch, featuring a green surface and soft underlayer, promised challenging conditions for batters. India skipper Rohit Sharma explained the decision to bowl first, saying, “There’s a lot of grass, and the pitch looks a bit soft. We want to make the most of the conditions with the ball early on.”
Despite his own batting struggles and pressure on his leadership, Rohit emphasized the upbeat mood in the dressing room. “The team is absolutely buzzing. The boys are eager to play good cricket and showcase their skills,” he added.
Australian captain Pat Cummins, meanwhile, was diplomatic about the toss decision. “It’s been a fantastic series so far. The Gabba crowd is set to sell out, and it’s going to be a lively atmosphere,” Cummins noted.
Playing XIs
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep
A Pivotal Test in the Series
With the series tied, the third Test at Brisbane carries immense significance for both teams. While the Gabba has historically favored Australia, the green conditions and overcast skies provide India with a golden opportunity to exploit the conditions with their potent bowling attack. However, Siraj’s treatment by the crowd adds another layer of drama to an already heated contest.
