'Just not cricket, very poor' - Twitter unimpressed as Mohammed Siraj grounds Temba Bavuma with needless throw

Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj was at the receiving end of some backlash on the final day of the Boxing Day Test in Centurion against South Africa when he hurled a throw at Protea vice-captain Temba Bavuma in the 62nd over.

South Africa resumed their day at 94/4 before periodic strikes from the Indian pacers brought them to seven down. Siraj was understandably pumped up after having struck in his previous over when he had Quinton de Kock playing one onto his stumps.

In his next over, the pacer took a shy at the stumps, hitting Bavuma’s ankle in the process, even as the batter did not even remotely attempt to take the run after defending the ball straight back to the bowler’s hands. Realising his fault, Siraj tendered an apology immediately, before going to check his counterpart and returning to deliver the next ball while the physios attended Bavuma.

Meanwhile, India continue to remain in a strong position to take a 1-0 lead, having reduced South Africa to 182/7 by Lunch on Day 5. Contrary to the thunderstorms and rain forecast, the weather has played well on the fifth morning, as India bagged three wickets in the first session to inch closer towards recording a historic victory.

Jasprit Bumrah brought first success for the team when he trapped Dean Elgar lbw, ending his 156-ball vigil for 77. Elgar could have been sent back earlier when he gave a return catch to Mohammed Shami, although the pacer could not hold onto the chance in his follow-through. Shami later had Wiaan Mulder caught by Rishabh Pant behind, while Siraj had the better off de Kock.

South Africa went to Lunch on Day 5, needing 123 for victory with only three wickets in hands. Notably, India have not won a series in South Africa, having started that attempt in 1992. In the seven series ever since, they have lost six and have drawn one. In their most recent assignment in these shores of the world, the Virat Kohli-led unit finished the series 1-2, losing the encounters in Centurion and Cape Town before winning the final Test in Johannesburg.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Temba Bavuma smacked on the foot by a Siraj throw. In SL, he was hit on the hand by a throw as well..and he broke his hand, and had to abandon the series midway..#SAvIND

— Hemant (@hemantbuch) December 30, 2021

Siraj asking Bavuma if he's doing well or not even now❤️

— #We want aggressive Kohli back 💪 (@crickohli18) December 30, 2021

#Siraj is looking so arrogant now a https://t.co/7VbYg329Bw a Indian you don't behave like this.Without any reason why u throwing ball to Bavuma. 😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬#indvssa

— Abhisek (@Abhisek099) December 30, 2021

UFF..!!

I rather like Mohammed Siraj's alpha-competitiveness & the crazed look in his eyes when bowling, but chucking the ball AT Bavuma post-bowl when he wasn't even CONTEMPLATING a run and, potentially, injuring the South African batter's heel is just NOT cricket..!!#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/zA4UuMGLTm

— Chintan Nanavati (@LightHealing) December 30, 2021

Did Siraj throwing the ball and hitting Bavuma constitute “throwing the ball at a player, umpire or another person in an inappropriate and dangerous manner”. If so it was a Level 2 offence and 5 penalty runs to South Africa #SAvsIND

— Tim Mansfield (@tjm_1966) December 30, 2021

Siraj trying to hurt king Bavuma as he knows he won't be able to pick his wicket.

— Yash (@yash_cric) December 30, 2021

Ridiculous from Mohammed Siraj throwing the ball at Temba Bavuma who was in his crease clearly not attempting a run – should be penalty runs to South Africa for unfair play #SAvIND #sscricket

— Avi Singh (@MannerOfSpeakin) December 30, 2021

That’s seriously poor from Siraj. Bavuma hasn’t ever left the crease and he launches the ball his way for no reason whatsoever. #SAvsIND

— Dan Gardner (@DonGoodman90) December 30, 2021

Should setup an ultra-aggresive field now for the tailenders and finish it off. This Bavuma guy will dig this deep

P.S. Siraj Miyan intentionally smashed Bavuma's toes. This is equivalent of a tactical foul in football. Nice one Miyan, Rahul Dravidiola would be proud👍

— Chaitanya (@cha1tanya47) December 30, 2021

Good show by Bavuma. Not whining. Not even asking for anything to waste time. It is the bosses up there who wanted to check out, everything is OK. So everything is fine.
Except for that stupid throw. "Thank you" Siraj! https://t.co/cpS5fzAblf

— Jose Puliampatta (@JosePuliampatta) December 30, 2021

Siraj ~ very poor there in the cricket and a poor reflection on your Captain that he couldn't be bothered to see if Bavuma was okay@BCCI

— Get-Pro ACADEMY (@GetProACADEMY1) December 30, 2021

That was needless and very poor from Siraj. Hitting Bavuma when he was clearly@not going for a run. Very Australian thing to do. #SAvIND

— Narayana Kashyap (@kashnarayana) December 30, 2021

That was so unnecessary from Siraj,so bad and on top of that it gives bavuma chance to waste time 🤦‍♂️

— Lakshya (@fivewides) December 30, 2021

That was needless from Siraj. But then Siraj is Siraj. Look how he appologised and was genuinely concerned. He is super sweet. That sort of aggression is so not his style.

Also, Bavuma was really gracious #INDvsSA #SAvsIND

— Arnab (@simplyarnab) December 30, 2021

temba bavuma goes down
siraj throws a ball back to him#gavaskar asks, what time rain's gonna come!@RanveerOfficial learn some acting from @tbavuma10 #SAvsIND

— Siddesh Kale (@s1723kale) December 30, 2021