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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.

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·4-min read
Travis Head greeted by his teammates and Head raises his bat.
Match-winner Travis Head (pictured) received a rather subdued applause after scoring his century against India in the World Cup final. (Getty Images)

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.

Travis Head celebrates his century.
Travis Head (pictured) celebrated his century to a rather subdued applause with the Indian crowd in shock.(Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

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.

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