IND vs ENG: Cricket Legends back Siraj after a Controversial fine at Lord's

Sports News: India pacer Mohammed Siraj has faced a deduction after a heated send-off to Ben Duckett in the second innings. The third test at Lord's was nothing less than a spectacle, with both teams fighting to take the all-important lead in the series. England is now 2-1 ahead. Former cricketers and legends Sunil Gavaskar and Nasser Hussain have come out in support of the Indian bowler. As things heated between the two teams at the end of day 3, the sledging and the send-offs continued till the very end.

Siraj's send-off to Duckett

Mohammed Siraj was dispatched for a boundary over the keeper's head after an attempted lap by Duckett proved fruitful. However, two balls later, Siraj banged one in short, and it hurried the batter, leaving him in an awkward position while attempting a pull. The ball hit high on the bat and went straight to mid-on. Siraj was pumped. As he celebrated, his eyes constantly stared at Duckett. The bowler bumped into Duckett's shoulders, which was then noted by the match officials. He has been fined 15% of the match fee.

Gavaskar's opinion

Legend Sunil Gavaskar feels that Duckett initiated the shoulder bump, not Siraj. While speaking with media, he said, "I actually didn't see anything wrong with that celebration because he wasn't giving the batter a send-off. Actually, when you give a send-off, that is where I think you need to be fined. But if you're in the face saying, 'Got you,' I don't think that is any reason for the player to be summoned before the match referee."

"Duckett made the contact"

"I think it was just over the top, as far as the matchup fee is concerned. If you saw the contact that happened, it was Ben Duckett who came there. Siraj is not in this. Siraj's shoulder is a bit this way. Duckett is the one who's made the contact. Well, I mean, there you are. I think the match referee has taken the call. Hopefully Siraj will celebrate subtly, maybe, because at the end of the day, all you want is to keep on getting wickets. It doesn't matter what else happens," said Gavaskar.

Nasser Hussain also supports Siraj

While speaking to Sky Sports, former English cricketer said, ""[That punishment] is just not for me. These are not robots; these are people giving it absolutely everything, ball after ball, on a hot week. You're playing for a country passionate about cricket; you're passionate. Sometimes as a fiery individual you will go slightly over the mark. You do not want 22 robots, you want a bit of fight, so a quiet word from the match referee would have been enough for me," said Hussain.