Verbal Exchange Between Siraj and Duckett During Test Match

LEEDS: During the initial session on the last day of the first Test at Headingley on Tuesday, Indian right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Siraj and English opener Ben Duckett engaged in a tense verbal confrontation.

The incident took place just before the last ball of the 30th over. Siraj had begun his run-up to bowl when Zak Crawley abruptly stopped him, indicating a possible distraction behind the sightscreen.

The Indian bowler returned to his starting point and then delivered the ball, which Crawley defended.

Immediately after the 30th over, the umpires paused the game and signaled the start of the lunch break.

Mohammed Siraj appeared annoyed by the sequence of events, possibly interpreting it as a tactic by England to kill time and prevent India from completing another over before lunch.

Consequently, he confronted Duckett and Crawley, who were seen laughing.

The English openers were also observed conversing with KL Rahul as they headed back to the dressing room; however, the interaction seemed friendly, with all of them smiling.

Later in the second session, Mohammed Siraj nearly succeeded in dismissing Ben Duckett at 99, but Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped the catch near deep backward square leg.

The opening batsman took advantage of this chance, eventually scoring 149 off 170 balls, including 21 boundaries and one six.

He also participated in a record-setting 188-run opening stand with Crawley, providing England with a strong start in their chase of 371 runs.

Duckett was eventually removed by Shardul Thakur in the 55th over. Following his dismissal, Harry Brook was out for a golden duck, reducing the home side’s score to 253/4.

At the time of reporting, England’s score stood at 308/5 in 70 overs, with experienced Joe Root and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith at the crease.