Australia now leads the series 2-1 after defeating India by 185 runs in Melbourne on Monday. The match’s outcome has been the talk of town, but Travis Head’s celebration of Rishabh Pant’s wicket on the final day of play has also sparked controversy. Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Siddhu has now called it “obnoxious” on X and sought a “stringent” punishment from the ICC, despite the fact that few people were able to understand the significance of Head’s celebration.
Siddhu wrote in a post of X,
“Travis head’s obnoxious behavior 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 !!!”
When Head successfully persuaded Pant to attempt the big shot in the 59th over of the game, Mitchell Marsh grabbed it close to the boundary line. Given that it was the first breakthrough in over 20 overs, all Australian players celebrated enthusiastically, but everyone’s attention was quickly drawn to Head’s celebration. Head appeared to be using his hand to make a sign that few could interpret.
Australia captain Pat Cummins tried to explain in his post-match press conference on Monday, saying,
“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, I think it’s very funny. So that’s what it would have been, nothing else,”
