Australian captain Pat Cummins was greeted with a lukewarm reception upon his return home on Tuesday after leading his team to victory in the Cricket World Cup. Footage emerged of Cummins pulling his own luggage trolley through the airport as a handful of photojournalists snapped pictures. The lack of fans present to welcome the World Cup-winning captain sparked shock and disappointment among Indian fans, who couldn’t fathom such a subdued response for a national hero.
The contrast between Australia’s subdued homecoming and the fervent cricket culture in India was stark. Had India been the victors, the country would have undoubtedly erupted in a frenzy of celebration. Indian fans expressed their dismay at the lack of enthusiasm shown towards Cummins and his teammates.
Pat Cummins back on home soil as a World Cup winning captain.
Isse zyada log to hamare yahan JCB ki khudai dekhane aate hai pic.twitter.com/53qbtaI6WT
— Subrat Saurabh (@subratsaurabh) November 22, 2023
Seems the Australians don’t even care for the Cricket World Cup. Such a lukewarm welcome for winning captain Pat Cummins.
India hota to even Prasidh Krishna ka welcome dhol nagado sang hota.
😢pic.twitter.com/nsqSChwP0q— Abhishek Ojha (@vicharabhio) November 22, 2023
Pat Cummins returning to Australia with World Cup.
Isse zyada log humare yahan office ki tapri pe mil jaate hain kisi bhi time jao pic.twitter.com/JyJYPyVKTV
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) November 22, 2023
The reception for the worldcup winning captain Pat Cummins looks like Australia are still stuck on 2 points.
— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) November 22, 2023
In stark contrast to “Superstar” IND Cricketers.
No entourage, no Louis Vuitton bags, no Tapori haircut, no Patek 5712/Rolex Daytona on wrist – just the World Cup in his list of achievements. https://t.co/FIiCfrzB3C— Diva Jain (@DivaJain2) November 22, 2023
This is how Pat Cummins welcomed in Australia at the airport. Imagine the chaos at the airport if India returns with a cup!
— idlebrain jeevi (@idlebrainjeevi) November 22, 2023
Australia secured their sixth World Cup title, a record-breaking achievement, by defeating India by six wickets in the final last Sunday. On a challenging wicket at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Australia bundled out India for 240 and then chased down the target in a mere 43 overs.
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Travis Head, with his brilliant century, was named the Player of the Match. Cummins had previously expressed his anticipation of silencing a crowd of over 100,000 spectators upon Australia’s victory over India. His prediction came to fruition, as the stadium emptied as India’s defeat became evident.
Indian players were visibly distraught, returning to the dressing room with tears in their eyes. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the dressing room to offer solace to the dejected team.
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The T20I series between India and Australia commences on Thursday in Visakhapatnam. Several key players from both sides, including Cummins, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, will be absent from the series. Matthew Wade will lead the Australian team, while Suryakumar Yadav will captain India, with Ruturaj Gaikwad serving as his deputy for the first three matches. Shreyas Iyer will join the Indian squad for the fourth and fifth T20Is.