Cricket, a sport cherished across India and several other nations, often sees its players revered like celebrities. Yet, a recent viral video has highlighted a surprising lack of recognition for Australian cricket stars Pat Cummins and Travis Head, despite their team’s recent triumph in the 2023 ODI Cricket World Cup.
The video, which has stirred conversation online, features a man conducting impromptu interviews on the streets of Australia, asking passersby if they have heard of Pat Cummins or Travis Head. To the astonishment of many cricket fans, most respondents claimed they had never heard of the players. Only one individual recognized Pat Cummins, the Australian Test and ODI captain, but admitted he had no strong opinions about him. The clip ends with an Indian-origin man acknowledging that he knows Virat Kohli but is unfamiliar with the two Australian cricketers.
Shared by X user Narsa with the caption, “What a shame for ICC, cricket is dying in Australia,” the video has since garnered over five lakh views and sparked a wave of reactions online. Many users expressed their disbelief at the apparent lack of interest in cricket among Australians. One user remarked, “Cricket is loved in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan,” while another pointed out the irony, saying, “Seriously, they know about Virat Kohli but don’t know about their own players.”
The video has also triggered reflections on the status of cricket in Australia. “There is a saying in Australia that the second most important post after PM is their cricket captain. Very surprising to see so many haven’t heard of Pat Cummins,” noted one person. Another simply commented, “This is sad,” echoing the sentiments of many who see the video as a sign of cricket’s waning influence in a country once known for its deep cricketing culture.
