IND vs. AUS: Travis Head’s Finger Gesture – A Joke or An Insult To 1.5 Billion Indians

IND vs. AUS: As the fans expected, the ongoing 5-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series has been filled with a lot of drama, entertainment, and whatnot.

Day 5 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground witnessed a strange and inexplicable celebration from Travis Head after he dismissed Indian keeper-batter Rishabh Pant. He stole all the limelight and created a lot of buzz with his controversial celebration, as it was something that no one expected. His celebrations left fans and commentators wondering what it was all about.

What did Travis Head’s controversial celebration mean?

The incident took place during the final session of Day 5 of the Boxing Day Test match when Head gave a much-needed breakthrough to his team by dismissing Rishabh Pant, following which he pointed his finger into a circle made with his other hand. The gesture had the cricketing world buzzing. While some thought it was hilarious, on the other hand, many were left confused.

The video of his celebration was shared by the official social media handles of Cricket Australia; however, the videos were removed later on, adding more fuel to the fire.

Watch the viral video:

Travis Head gets Rishabh Pant and pulls out a unique celebration 👀#AUSvIND | #PlayOfTheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/EVvcmaiFv7

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 30, 2024

“Head’s celebration insulted not just Pant but 1.5 billion Indians”: Navjot Singh Sidhu

While many have raised objections on the celebration, Channel 7’s James Brayshaw and Pat Cummins later clarified that the gesture by the Australian cricketer symbolised ‘putting his finger on ice’.

The hot finger placed in ice, Travis Head reprising an old celebration 😅 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/CYV2auvdlq

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 30, 2024

Meanwhile, Indian commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu also called out Travis Head for his celebration and asked for a strict action against the Australian cricketer. He took to his official X handle and wrote:

“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 !!! “

Check out the Tweet:

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 On Travis Head’s Celebration

Providing some clarity on the controversy, Channel 7’s James Brayshaw said: “Now, great people in the back have said after he took 4-10 within 17 balls in Sri Lanka in 2022 he was quoted as saying, ‘I had to put the digit on ice’,” Brayshaw said. “So that was the celebration. He said ‘I just got him, and I’m putting it back on ice’.”

Australian captain Pat Cummins also provided an explanation for Travis Head’s controversial celebration. After Australia won the game by 184 runs to go 2-1 in the ongoing 5-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, Pat Cummins, while speaking to the reports, said:

“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,”

Later on, Travis Head took to his official Instagram account and shared a story where his finger was dipped in the ice. Check out the viral Instagram story:

The Men in Blue will now face Australia in the must-win fifth and final Test match to level the ongoing five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series and retain the prestigious trophy for the record third time.

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