The reverberations of Team India’s defeat in the 4th Test against Australia will be resounding for some time to come. Repeated failures from seniors, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and irresponsible batting from young stars like Rishabh Pant, paved the way for India trailing 2-1 in the 5-match series at the historic ground of the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was Pant’s dismissal that is said to have changed the game in favor of Australia on Monday. The wicket-keeper’s departure also provoked a strange celebration from Australia star Travis Head, who was credited with Pant’s wicket. Head’s gesture, however, prompted a backlash on social media, leading former India cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu to slam the Australia batter.
Head’s gesture became the hottest topic online as many fans branded his move ‘obscene’. Navjot Sidhu also criticized the Australian cricketer saying there were women and children watching the match. Hence, he should have restrained himself from the act as he told them.
“Travis head’s obnoxious behaviour during the course of the Melbourne test doesn’t auger well for the gentleman’s game…… sets the worst possible example when there are kids, women, young & old watching the game……. this caustic conduct did not insult an individual but a nation of 1.5 billion Indians……stringent punishment that would serve a deterrent for the future generations needs to be slapped on him so that no one dares follow suit !!!,” Sidhu posted on X (formerly Twitter).
During the post-match press conference, captain Pat Cummins from Australia further clarified the act of Head, that Head meant that he was putting his hot finger in a cold cup of ice.
“I can explain that. His finger is so hot, that he is going to put it in a cup of ice. Yes, that’s what it is. That’s how it typically goes. Was it at the Gabba or somewhere, where he got a wicket as well and just got straight to the fridge, grabs a bucket of ice, puts his finger in and just walked in front of Lyno (Nathan Lyon). Just like that, I think it’s very funny. So that’s what it would have been, nothing else,” Cummins said in the presser.
