Mohammed Siraj, the Indian fast bowler, has recently been appointed as the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) for Telangana, and this newfound role earned him chants of “DSP” from the passionate Chinnaswamy crowd during a tense moment in the first Test match between India and New Zealand.
India’s Struggles at Chinnaswamy Stadium
It was a tough day for the Indian cricket team at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday. The home side endured a dismal batting collapse, being bowled out for just 46 runs. This was their lowest-ever score on home soil and the third-lowest overall in their cricketing history. Adding to the woes, five Indian batters were dismissed for a duck, including former captain Virat Kohli, who was batting at the crucial No. 3 spot. The crowd was left in shock as hopes of a solid start to the series quickly faded.
New Zealand’s Dominant Response
New Zealand, on the other hand, capitalized on India’s poor performance. By the end of Day 2, they had taken a commanding 134-run lead. Devon Conway played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s innings, scoring a composed 91 runs before being dismissed by India’s ace spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin. Conway’s innings put New Zealand in a strong position and added to India’s frustrations.
Heated Moment Between Siraj and Conway
During Conway’s innings, a heated exchange occurred between him and Mohammed Siraj. The incident happened in the 15th over of New Zealand’s innings when Conway hit Siraj for a boundary. Although Conway remained calm and focused on the match, Siraj seemed to be agitated after a defensive shot Conway played following the boundary. Siraj, known for his fiery temperament, lost his cool and words were exchanged between the two players. Despite the intensity, Conway showed no visible reaction and continued playing with his head down.
Chinnaswamy Crowd’s “DSP” Chants
Amid this tense exchange, the Bengaluru crowd rallied behind Siraj, chanting “DSP” to show their support. The chants referred to Siraj’s recent appointment as the Deputy Superintendent of Police in Telangana. This lighthearted moment helped ease some of the tension on the field, as the crowd clearly admired Siraj both for his on-field aggression and his off-field achievements.
Siraj’s Appointment as Telangana DSP
For those unfamiliar with the connection, Siraj’s appointment as DSP came as a recognition of his contributions to Indian cricket, particularly following India’s victory in the T20 World Cup. Telangana’s Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced the prestigious Group-I government post for Siraj, acknowledging his achievements and granting him 600 square yards of land near Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad. Siraj officially took on the role last Friday, and images of him in the police uniform quickly spread across social media, garnering admiration from fans and fellow cricketers.
Gavaskar’s On-Air Comment
During the on-field exchange between Siraj and Conway, even former India captain Sunil Gavaskar weighed in with a witty remark while commentating. He humorously reminded viewers of Siraj’s new title, saying: “Don’t forget that he’s a DSP now. I wonder if his teammates gave him a salute.”
Looking Ahead to Day 3
As the action continues, New Zealand will resume their innings on Day 3 at a solid 180 for three. Rachin Ravindra, who is on 22* from 34 balls, and Daryl Mitchell, at 14* from 39, have already built a 26-run partnership off 55 balls. With the match hanging in the balance, both teams will look to seize control on the third day of what has already been a thrilling Test.
The Siraj-Conway incident, coupled with the Chinnaswamy crowd’s energetic “DSP” chants, has added a unique flavour to the Test, blending the excitement of cricket with the pride surrounding Siraj’s recent police appointment.
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