The Adelaide Test ebbed and flowed for most parts of the 1,027 deliveries that it lasted. India, after a fabulous start to the series, found themselves on the back foot on the very first morning but any hopes of an encore were quickly dissipated after a steady stand between newcomer Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne.

A couple of quick wickets kept India in the game, but a heart-pounding 140 by famous nemesis Travis Head cast twilight on their hopes. The spotlight, though, soon shifted to Mohammed Siraj as visuals of his run-in with Head were played and replayed again and again, leading to widespread debate which found its way into moral science preachings on how not to behave, as viewers found their latest villain. But honestly, is it really that deep?

Let’s break it down. Cricket is an emotional game, and the intensity in moments like these is what makes it so compelling. Head had just dismantled the India bowling, tilting a once-balanced game entirely in Australia’s favour. In dismissing him, Siraj had every reason to feel a mix of relief, frustration, and perhaps a little bit of vengeance. It was, after all, not the first time the left-hander had gone after Siraj and the India team. And then Head seemingly poked the bear, in what he later claimed was a simple 'well bowled', though lip-reading suggested otherwise. What followed was Siraj pointing to the dressing room and reportedly dropping a few words that weren’t exactly 'have a nice day'. Boos, literal and figurative, followed.

For those who’ve seen Siraj play, his attitude isn’t new. He’s one of those bowlers who wears his sentiments on his sleeve and uses it to charge himself up. The timing of his actions has been criticised, with Sunil Gavaskar reminding him that Head had been dismissed for a big hundred rather than a single-digit score. But, can, or rather, should, heated conversations be limited to specific situations, disabling the player on the backfoot to have a go at the opposition? Won’t that make it too robotic and controlled? If you have read Katherine Mansfield’s iconic short story The Fly, you will be wise to remember that reactions cannot be manually manoeuvred, for that takes away the very essence of an unpredictably raw life.

And let’s be truthful, the exchange didn’t start in isolation. Head’s words, innocuous or not, clearly triggered Siraj. But here’s where the problem lies: the narrative has overwhelmingly vilified Siraj while giving Head a free pass. Siraj is fiery; we know that, but if we’re going to hold Siraj accountable, it’s only fair to examine Head’s role in the entire episode.

"There's a thin line between being aggressive and crossing the limit. As captain, it's my responsibility to ensure we don't cross that line."#AUSvIND https://t.co/borBOYDETb

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 8, 2024

Let’s also not act like this is the first time emotions have boiled over on a cricket field. The game is littered with aggressive moments, be it animated gestures, in-your-face claps, and players giving as good as they get. It’s part of the sport’s underbelly, a tradition almost as old as the game itself. The only difference now is that every single frame gets analysed minutely, thanks to the social media microscope that magnifies even the most mundane interactions into headline-worthy drama.

Another incident from the game that grabbed attention involved Yashasvi Jaiswal, the fearless 22-year-old, never shy of standing his ground. During his dazzling 161 in the first Test, Jaiswal cheekily told Mitchell Starc he was “too slow,” a dig at the left-armer who had earlier claimed to bowl faster than his former IPL teammate Harshit Rana. Starc responded to Jaiswal with a smirk and carried on, as the young India batter, unfazed by the occasion, backed his compatriot with confidence. Fast forward a Test later and Jaiswal fell to Starc first ball, sparking discourse about how he should learn to be humble. Really?

That’s cricket. One day you’re on top, and the next, the game brings you back down - it’s the beauty of it all. If we start ordering the players to never chirp, never show a bit of cheek, we might as well strip the sport of its fire. Why should anyone have to keep quiet out of fear of what might happen tomorrow?

That’s not the only issue. Starc was dismissed by Rana in that same innings in Perth, but no one questioned whether he should be humble. Why can players like Head and Starc get away with their quips, while Jaiswal and Siraj are being policed for how they express themselves? If one is wrong, then both are. If one is fine, then both should be. The double standards are glaring, and it’s time we stop holding select players to stricter ethical standards than others.

In another era, these stories wouldn’t even have been a talking point. Cricket has always been about mind games as much as skill. For every bowler’s stare, there was a batter’s snigger. For every send-off, there was a sharp retort. What’s changed is the way we react.

The game thrives on passion. Strip away the emotions, the intensity, and all that is left is a lifeless contest. You want players to care. You want them to be invested. As long as it doesn't get personal, it’s okay. Let’s leave it at that.

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