Travis Head has addressed the controversy surrounding his celebration after dismissing Rishabh Pant during the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The Australian batter, who had been called upon to bowl in the post-Tea session, clarified that the gesture — placing his finger between a circle made by his other hand’s thumb and finger — was not intended to offend or disrespect anyone, as some former cricketers and fans from India had claimed.

Head explained that the celebration was simply meant to represent him putting his “finger on the ice,” a personal routine he had started during a series in Sri Lanka in 2022. Head’s moment came after a period of frustration for India, as Pant and Washington Sundar had batted together for over two hours without losing a wicket.

After a couple of quiet overs from Head, one of his half-trackers finally tempted Pant into playing a pull shot, which was caught deep in the field. This wicket set off a dramatic collapse, and India, which had been at 121/3, was soon all out for just 155, handing Australia a dominant 184-run victory.

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“The finger on the ice,” Travis Head explained during an interview on Triple M Radio. “I started it in Sri Lanka. I put my finger on the ice and be ready to go for the next one.” He went on to add that he didn’t expect to bowl in this particular Test, joking that he had thought Sri Lanka would be the next opportunity for his bowling, referring to Australia’s 2022 series in Galle.

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

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

Australian captain Pat Cummins also weighed in, explaining the gesture with a laugh: “His finger is so hot, he’s going to put it in a cup of ice. That’s the running joke. It’s something we’ve seen before, like when he got a wicket at the Gabba and immediately went to the fridge.”

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Despite these explanations, the gesture sparked controversy in India, with some former Indian cricketers taking offense. Navjot Singh Sidhu, a former India batter turned politician, even suggested that Head had “insulted” the entire country. The gesture may continue to be a talking point as Head could be called upon to bowl again in the final Test in Sydney, where the pitch traditionally offers more turn than other Australian grounds.