Mohammed Siraj’s intense celebration after dismissing Ben Duckett during Day Four of the third Test at Lord’s has landed him in hot water with the ICC. The fiery India pacer has been handed a fine amounting to 15 per cent of his match fee and received one demerit point for breaching the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Code of Conduct. The incident occurred during a tense session of play that saw 14 wickets fall in a single day, with Siraj right in the thick of the action.
Siraj, who has picked up four wickets in the match so far, celebrated Duckett’s wicket with visible aggression—a moment that may have lifted the energy on the field but crossed the line in the eyes of match officials. As per the ICC, the fast bowler’s behaviour breached Article 2.5 of its Code of Conduct, which deals with actions that could provoke or antagonise a dismissed batter.
ICC pulls up Siraj for ‘provocative conduct’
According to the ICC’s statement, Siraj’s send-off included walking aggressively towards Duckett after taking the wicket and making physical contact as the English batter began his walk back. The governing body noted that this conduct was deemed inappropriate and a Level 1 offence under its disciplinary framework.
A match official stated in the report that Siraj’s celebration could have escalated tensions had it not been quickly controlled. Although no formal hearing was necessary—with Siraj admitting the offence and accepting the sanction proposed by match referee Richie Richardson—the demerit point adds to his previous record. He now has two demerit points in a 24-month period.
What this means for Siraj
While the sanction is relatively minor, it does bring Siraj closer to potential suspension territory. If a player accumulates four demerit points within two years, they are converted into suspension points, which could lead to a ban for one or more matches.
Despite the reprimand, Siraj remained crucial to India’s dominance at Lord’s. Shortly after Duckett’s dismissal, he removed Ollie Pope for just four, helping India reduce England to 42 for two in their second innings. England were eventually bowled out for 192, leaving India a target of 193, with 135 still to chase going into the final day.

