Michael Atherton Defends Siraj's Passionate Send-Off Amid Criticism of Kohli's Actions
Atherton's Perspective on Cricket's Emotional Intensity
Mohammad Siraj's spirited farewell to Ben Duckett may have earned him a demerit point from the ICC, yet former England captain Michael Atherton has come to the Indian bowler's defense regarding his emotional display. In his column for a leading publication, Atherton emphasized the difference between passionate commitment and outright aggression, suggesting that a balance must be struck between showing dedication and crossing the line into unacceptable behavior.
Atherton posed a thought-provoking question: "Wouldn't fans prefer players who care deeply about Test cricket rather than those who show indifference?" He argued that spectators would rather witness cricketers who are emotionally invested in representing their nation.
While he praised the overall intensity of the recent Test at Lord's, Atherton did not hesitate to point out instances he found inappropriate. He specifically mentioned Virat Kohli's shoulder charge against Australia's Sam Konstas during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne last December.
Atherton remarked, "There is no justification for the shoulder barge that Kohli executed against Konstas. No one desires physical confrontations or excessive verbal exchanges on the field. However, this match showcased two teams competing with passion, skill, and dedication, providing us with an exhilarating contest."
Kohli's actions, which took place on the first day of the Melbourne Test, clearly violated the ICC's Code of Conduct, which prohibits any form of inappropriate physical contact, including instances where a player recklessly collides with another player or umpire.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting criticized Kohli's behavior at the time, stating on a sports network, "Virat crossed a full pitch to instigate that confrontation, without a doubt." Television commentator Kerry O'Keefe echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Kohli's career has been built on arrogance and that he seemed uncomfortable with similar traits in a newcomer.
As a result of his actions, Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee, a penalty that was not unprecedented for him, as he had previously faced similar consequences in 2019 for a shoulder barge against South Africa's Beuran Hendricks.
In contrast, Atherton noted that Siraj's celebration did not cross any lines. He also recalled another dramatic moment from the Lord's Test when Ravindra Jadeja collided with Brydon Carse while both were pursuing the ball. Atherton described the incident as unintentional, with both players unaware of each other's presence.
Reflecting on the match's intensity, Atherton highlighted a moment when Ben Stokes acted as a peacemaker after a verbal exchange between the two players, emphasizing that it was more a case of heated emotions than hostility.
Atherton also mentioned Jofra Archer's fiery reaction after bowling out Rishabh Pant, where he directed some choice words at the Indian wicketkeeper as he walked back.
Looking back at the fierce competition, Atherton drew a parallel to another memorable day at Lord's, stating, "Six years ago, this venue witnessed the most dramatic finish in cricket history—the World Cup final decided by a boundary countback. Once again, Lord's delivered an enthralling conclusion, with Stokes and Archer at the heart of the action. In Test cricket, few victories are as narrow as a 22-run win."