Team India’s fast bowler Mohammed Siraj wanted to bowl spin during Bangladesh’s second innings of the first Test in Chennai. The conditions were overcast on Day 3 and the umpires were on the verge of stropping the game due to bad light. Siraj was seen practising spin bowling when the umpires were discussing about the bad light with the batters and the Indian team.
Siraj was bowling the 38th over of the fourth innings. As the umpires instructed the players to head to the dressing rooms, Indian captain Rohit Sharma urged if the home team could bowl spin. Siraj was also ready to bowl spin.
He tried to convince Rohit, but the Indian skipper refused to accept his suggestion. Recently, England pacer Chris Woakes had bowled spin due to bad light in the 3rd Test against Sri Lanka.
However, the home crowd and former England players criticized the decision.
Michael Atherton was furious, calling it a filth. Joe Root raised his eyebrows, while Ben Stokes was in disbelief before entering the dressing room.
According to Law 2.7.1, the on-field umpires have the right to decide whether conditions are dangerous or not for game to take place in case of fading light. Bangladesh were 158/4 and still need 357 runs to win the match.