"Siraj celebrated close to the batter in his follow-through"
India pacer Mohammed Siraj has been fined 15% of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the fourth day of the third Test against England.
The incident occurred during Siraj’s explosive opening spell on Day 4, where he dismissed England opener Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope.
Siraj’s celebration after Duckett’s dismissal drew scrutiny, with the pacer charging up in his follow-through and celebrating close to the batter, making contact as Duckett began walking back to the long room.
The ICC confirmed the punishment on July 14:
“Mohammed Siraj has been fined 15% of his match fee after a breach in the ICC Code of Conduct during India’s Test match against England at Lord’s.
“After the dismissal, Siraj celebrated close to the batter in his follow-through and made contact as Duckett began his walk back to the Lord’s long room.”
Siraj was found guilty of violating Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which prohibits “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”.
As part of the sanction, Siraj has also received one demerit point. This is his second offence in a 24-month period, taking his total to two demerit points.
Players who accumulate four or more demerit points within two years face a suspension.
India have their first wicket of the morning and Mohammed Siraj is PUMPED! ? pic.twitter.com/E82tOyH1O5
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 13, 2025
The penalty followed strong words from former England captain Alastair Cook, who criticised the conduct during his appearance on BBC’s Test Match Special.
Cook said: “That’s unacceptable, but who is to blame now?
“Whether Duckett walked right into him and knew exactly what he was doing. Then again, you shouldn’t shout in someone’s face like that. I wholeheartedly say that was wrong.
“There should be no physical contact.”
“Yes, celebrate a wicket like you mean it. But you’ve got him out; you don’t need to look him in the eye from three inches and shout in his face.
“So I expect there to be repercussions, and there should be repercussions. That is my opinion. I thought that crossed the line.”
The heated moment was one of several during a tightly contested Test match, which is set for a thrilling conclusion on Day 5 at Lord’s.
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