India savaged over 'pathetic' act towards Travis Head amid World Cup final heroics
The Indian crowd has been called out for two separate incidents in the World Cup final.
Indian fans have been called out after a rather subdued applause for Travis Head after the batter became just the third Australian to score a century in a World Cup final. The 120,000 sea of blue at Narendra Modi Stadium was raucous throughout the first half of the World Cup final with every run cheered for India.
However, fans could see the momentum had changed in the second innings as Head and Marnus Labuschagne rescued Australia from 3-47 to edge closer to a record sixth World Cup title. Having not tasted defeat in the tournament, there was a lot of pressure on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, but it was Head that stole the show.
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The left-hander was imperious in his counter-attacking knock that silenced the crowd for the first time. Reporter Bharat Sundaresan pointed out that only a handful of people applauded Head when he reached 50.
And after a hesitant single on 99, Head brought up a World Cup final century. Unfortunately, the boisterous crowd fell silent as the run-out opportunity was missed and Head cemented his name in history.
And the 29-year-old raised his bat to a subdued applause from a stunned crowd. Commentator Mark Howard noticed the eery atmosphere after the historic achievement. "The crowd again are silent," he said as Head celebrated the incredible feat. And Howard wasn't the only one to notice the lack of applause.
Viewers around the world were left shocked Head wasn't congratulated properly from the cricket fans in attendance, regardless of the score or moment in the game. Head received an ovation when he was dismissed and walked off the field to cheers from the Aussie team, but the silence around the stadium during his landmark moment didn't sit well with cricket purists.
90% of the crowd motionless as Head gets to his century.
It's cricket FFS, if someone gets a century, you applaud them!— Bob Bamber (@CricketFanBob) November 19, 2023
A few of us did do that, including giving Head a standing ovation on his century and clap at every good shot by the Australians. We stood and clapped when Australia lifted the cup in the end,but the silence by the others was so deafening that it drowned out our praise. https://t.co/VUR6C3JYth
— Satyen K. Bordoloi (@SatyenKBordoloi) November 19, 2023
30000 INDIANS & 100 AUSTRALIANS in the stadium…
Atleast should have applauded the 100 from HEAD. Brilliant knock, he deserves applause and our crowd was silent #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/wZfE4Bfsqw— Vineeth K (@DealsDhamaka) November 19, 2023
Some 80 people among the 11000+ at the Narendra Modi Stadium clapped their hands together as Travis Head raised his bat after reaching his 50. Must feel like a late-season #SheffieldShield game at the Adelaide Oval for Trav #CWC23 #IndvAus
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) November 19, 2023
Travis Head brings up his century almost unnoticed and unacknowledged as the crowd makes a beeline for the exit. Has silenced the crowd in some style. #INDvAUS #CWC23
— Malhar Hathi (@malhar_hathi) November 19, 2023
To not even generate a ripple of applause for Head’s century is pretty classless imho #CWC23
— Martin (@_SmartUK) November 19, 2023
Travis Head batting like a champion. There was stunned silence as he reached his century. Crowd could have given him a few claps for his brilliant 100, whatever the match outcome!
— M K Venu (@mkvenu1) November 19, 2023
How the hell can the crowd not applaud him getting a century? So unsporting.
— Jonathan Grade (@jonathangrade) November 19, 2023
The silence when head scored his century was also pathetic.
— Budd Mendis (@mendb999) November 19, 2023
Cricket fans stunned after umpire booed at World Cup final
Head's moment wasn't the only time viewers called out the Indian crowd. Fans noticed World Cup final umpire Richard Kettleborough was booed when called up on stage in the trophy presentation. This caused backlash with the presentation having been already slammed for its awkward set-up.
The Australian side waited off the stage to receive their medals as Pat Cummins was presented the trophy by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. He was then left to stand by himself on the stage for around 30 seconds awkwardly looking around.
Cummins stood waiting while the remaining few fireworks went off as the politicians shook hands with the rest of the Australian team off the stage. To make matters worse the 130,000 seat stadium was near empty as Indian fans had already left to start their journey home.
pathetic from Indian fans
— ASG (@ahadfoooty) November 19, 2023
Shame! Crowd should not do such thing. Our team played worse not him
— Yamraj (@yamrajhuu) November 19, 2023
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