Navjot Singh Sidhu BLASTS Travis Head after Australian’s obnoxious gesture at Rishabh Pant, says ‘1.5 billion Indians…’
Australian batter Travis Head had a forgettable Boxing Day Test match against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The leading run-scorer in the five-match series between India and Australia, Head managed to score only 0 and 1 in the fourth Test which ended on Monday – dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah in both the innings.
However, it was Head’s crucial breakthrough with the ball in hand, which turned the Test in Australia’s favour after Indian batters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant had battled hard and kept the home side at bay for the entire second session on Day 5 on Monday. Head dismissed Pant to end a 88-run stand for the 4th wicket soon after the Tea break on the final day.
Head’s dismissal of Pant (30) came from an innocuous half-tracker, which the Indian wicketkeeper-batter hit straight to the deep mid-wicket fielder. The wicket, pivotal in shifting the momentum, led to a rather unusual celebration by Head. He mimicked creating a hole with his left hand and repeatedly inserted his right index finger into it — a gesture that quickly drew attention and raised eyebrows.
Former India cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu expressed outrage over the celebration, labeling it ‘obnoxious’ and a poor example for the sport. Calling it an insult to 1.5 billion Indians, Sidhu demanded stringent action to prevent similar behaviour in the future.
“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 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 wrote on X.
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
Australian captain Pat Cummins, however, dismissed the controversy, explaining that Head’s celebration was a lighthearted inside joke. “I can explain that. His finger is so hot he’s going to put it in a cup of ice—that’s the running joke. I think it’s very funny. It’s something he’s done before after taking a wicket,” Cummins clarified during the post-match press conference after Australia’s 184-run victory, which gave them a 2-1 lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The story behind THAT celebration from Travis Head on day five #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/hGMYUcZc4E
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 31, 2024
Pant’s dismissal triggered India’s collapse, with the team crumbling to 155 all out in pursuit of 340. Barring Yashasvi Jaiswal (84) and Pant, none of the Indian batters managed to contribute significantly, allowing Australia to seize a commanding position heading into the final Test.