Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has been fined 15 percent of his match fee and received one demerit point for an incident during the fourth day of the third Test against England at Lord’s. The sanction was issued after Siraj was found guilty of breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct following his aggressive send-off of England opener Ben Duckett.
The incident took place in the sixth over of England’s second innings, where Siraj dismissed Duckett and followed it up with what match officials described as “excessive celebration at close proximity to the dismissed batter.” According to the ICC, such actions fall under Article 2.5 of the Code of Conduct, which deals with behavior that can potentially “provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal.” The nature of the celebration was deemed inappropriate and against the spirit of the game.
This was not Siraj’s first offence in the past two years. He now has two demerit points on his disciplinary record, with the first being recorded during the Adelaide Test against Australia on December 7, 2024. As per ICC regulations, players who accumulate four or more demerit points within a 24-month window are subjected to suspension from international cricket, either in the form of a ban from Test, ODI, or T20I matches depending on the format of the offences.
The charge was officially filed by on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, with third umpire Ahsan Raza and fourth umpire Graham Lloyd supporting the decision. Match referee Richie Richardson handled the proceedings, and since Siraj admitted his mistake and accepted the sanctions, a formal hearing was not required.
Level 1 breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct are considered the least severe but still important in upholding the sport’s discipline. These offences usually carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, with fines up to 50 percent of the match fee and one or two demerit points.
Mohammed Siraj is known for his aggressive and fiery nature on the field, traits that have contributed to his success as a fast bowler. However, this latest punishment serves as a reminder of the thin line between passion and unacceptable conduct. The ICC continues to emphasize maintaining respect between opponents and ensuring the game is played in the right spirit, especially in high-stakes matches like the India-England Test series.
This incident could act as a wake-up call for Siraj and other players to be mindful of their celebrations and behavior on the field. With two demerit points to his name, Siraj will now have to tread carefully in future matches to avoid further disciplinary action that could potentially lead to suspension.
For fans and cricket analysts, this episode highlights the ICC’s commitment to maintaining decorum and sportsmanship in international cricket, ensuring that aggressive competition does not cross the boundaries of respect and professionalism.
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