New Delhi: Australian batter Travis Head’s bizarre celebration after dismissing Rishabh Pant during India’s second innings on Day 5 of the recently concluded 4th Test between the two sides has sparked a debate on social media. Head pulled off a strange celebration that went viral instantly after he got rid of a well-set Pant on 30 to turn the game in Australia’s favour during India’s 340-run chase in their second innings.
The dismissal led to another batting collapse for India in the lower-middle order as they were eventually bundled out for a paltry 155 to suffer a crushing 184-run defeat in the 4th Test and go 1-2 down in the five-match series. However, Head’s bizarre celebration where he put his right finger into his left palm shaped like a hole, didn’t seem to have gone down well with many.
Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu lashed out at the Australian batter over his celebration, calling it ‘obnoxious behaviour’. Sidhu took to Twitter to slam Head and said his celebration doesn’t augur well for the gentlemen’s game as kids, women and people of all age groups watch cricket. He demanded ‘stringent punishment’ for Head over his celebration, calling it an insult to the entire nation.
“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,” Sidhu wrote in his tweet.
“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,” he added.
Travis head’s obnoxious behaviour during the course of the Melbourne test doesn’t auger well for 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…
— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) December 30, 2024
Pat Cummins explains meaning behind Travis Head’s celebration
Australia skipper Pat Cummins explained the meaning behind Head’s bizarre celebration after being asked about the same during the post-match press conference following the conclusion of the 4th Test in Melbourne. Cummins said it’s a joke that runs in the team that Head’s finger is so hot that he has to put it in the ice after taking a wicket.
Cummins revealed Head usually does it to showcase how valuable his bowling is despite him being a part-time spinner and to mock senior spinner Nathan Lyon. Head has also done similar celebration in the past after impressing with the ball.
“Oh, sorry! Yes, okay! 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 normally the running joke. 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 walks in front of Lyno (Nathan Lyon). Just like that, thinks its very funny. So that’s what it would have been, nothing else,” Cummins told reporters.
The story behind THAT celebration from Travis Head on day five 🤣 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/hGMYUcZc4E
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 31, 2024
The hot finger placed in ice, Travis Head reprising an old celebration 😅 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/CYV2auvdlq
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 30, 2024
Earlier, the commentators too had cleared the air behind Head’s celebration and revealed it was his way of valuing his finger. Head had put his finger in an ice bucket after he took 4/10 in a Test match against Sri Lanka in 2022.
Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu lashed out at Australia batter Travis Head over his controversial celebration after dismissing Rishabh Pant during India’s second innings of the 4th Test in Melbourne on Monday. Sidhu has demanded stringent punishment for Head over his ‘obnoxious behaviour’. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
