ISLAMABAD: India’s Mohammad Siraj, who hit a 181 kmph against Australia on the first day of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval, was caught by a speed gun as netizens went crazy.
As Australia’s Mitchell Starc dominated the action with 6/48 on the first day, Mohammad Siraj’s speeding error also took centre stage from the official announcers at the end of the day’s play.
The incident occurred during the 25th over of Australia’s first innings when Marnus Labuschagne easily played a boundary towards backward point as Mohammad Siraj bowled a short off-length shot out and out.
But as the pacer finished the ball, Mohammad Siraj’s name appeared below the big screen at a speed of 181.6 kmph. Fans were immediately drawn to the error, which sparked a meme frenzy on social media.
Currently, former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar holds the record for the fastest delivery as he bowled at 161.3 kmph (100.23 mph) against England in a 2003 One-Day World Cup match in Cape Town, South Africa.
Public’ reaction on Siraj fastest bowl
“The greatest batsman + bowler ever to grace the planet earth. 181.6 kmph DSP Mohammed Bradman Siraj Akhtar,” wrote a social media user.
Another posted, “DSP Siraj bowled the fastest ball in cricket at 181.6 kmph. After Viv Richards, he is now coming to eat Shoaib Akhtar’s legacy.”
For the uninitiated, Australia and India are locking horns in the second match of the five-match Test series at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide with the visitors leading 1-0.
Australia are in a commanding position at stumps on Day 2 and India are 128-5 and still trailing by 29 runs.
Meanwhile, the fast bowler was involved in a tense exchange with Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne.
Marnus Labuschagne stopped Mohammad Siraj in the middle with his action when a fan ran past the site screen with a glass snake.
The incident occurred on the fifth ball of the 25th over when the Australian batsman got distracted by a fan in the stands. Marnus Labuschagne made his batting mark left and stopped Mohammad Siraj, who threw the ball at him in frustration.
Throwing the ball (or any other item of cricket equipment such as a water bottle) at or near a player, player support personnel, umpire, match referee or any other third person during an international match, in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner, says the ICC rule book.
