Australian Test skipper, Pat Cummins, gets praised from cricket fans around the world for his heartwarming gesture for a teammate, Usman Khawaja.
On Sunday, Australia defeated England in the five-test matches Ashes Series 2021-2022. After being awarded the trophy, the Aussies were about to open the bottles of champagne to spray it on each other in a bid to celebrate victory. Cummins realized that Khawaja stepped aside from the team due to being Muslim. Hence, Cummins asked the teammates to keep the bottles away and hold with the champagne celebrations. He then called in Usman Khawaja to join the team in trophy celebrations.
The video of the heartwarming scene went viral on social media. Elated with the humble gesture of Cummins, cricket fans are praising the Australian Test skipper. Usman Khawaja is a practicing Muslim and alcohol is prohibited in Islam.
“Pat Cummins realizes Usman Khawaja had to step aside because of the alcohol spraying celebrations, asks his other teammates to put the drinks away, and calls Khawaja back over to the center of the victory photo to celebrate. This was nice,” wrote cricket commentator, Aatif Nawaz.
Pat Cummins realises Usman Khawaja had to step aside because of the alcohol spraying celebrations, asks his other teammates to put the drinks away and calls Khawaja back over to the centre of the victory photo to celebrate. This was nice ❤https://t.co/zykZ4bWa9Y
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) January 16, 2022
Read more: Khawaja to open for Australia in 5th Ashes Test as Harris dropped
Australian sports journalist, Dennis, compared Pat Cummins to former Indian skipper Virat Kohli who showed quite a delayed support for his teammate Muhammad Shami for being branded ‘traitor’ after India lost to Pakistan in the ICC T20I Cricket World Cup match.
“Compare to Kohli who took three days to stand up for Shami…..and only because of social media pressure,” wrote Dennis in a tweet.
Pat Cummins shows good leadership
Former Pakistani cricketer, Umar Gul, also reacted to the video. He said, “Good leader always looks after the team as a whole and respects everyone equally and @patcummins30 has shown to be that leader. Enjoy the win @CricketAus.”
Other social media users commented that Cummis exhibited humility, tolerance, and empathy for his teammate.
If this video doesn't show you that the boys have my back, I don't know what will. They stopped their normal champagne celebrations so I could rejoin. Inclusivity in the game and our values as a sport are so important. I feel like we are trending in the right direction 🙏🏾🇦🇺 https://t.co/LrthzP9v2N
— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) January 17, 2022
Read more: Usman Khawaja back to haunt England with Sydney ton as Australia dominate
Usman Khawaja also expressed gratitude to his team in his Twitter post. He said “If this video doesn’t show you that the boys have my back, I don’t know what will. They stopped their normal champagne celebrations so I could rejoin. Inclusivity in the game and our values as a sport are so important. I feel like we are trending in the right direction.”