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1 year ago
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Sharp-eyed cricket fans might have noticed one thing that's always gone hand in hand with Aussie victory celebrations was missing after their stunning World Cup final win over India: alcohol.
There wasn't a drop of beer, wine or liquor to be seen as skipper Pat Cummins and his men cut loose in the dressing rooms after the match, and the explanation is simple.
The final was held in Ahmedabad in the Indian state of Gujarat, where the manufacturing, sale and consumption of alcohol is banned.
Foreigners are only allowed to buy alcohol in the state if they obtain a special government permit, but even then they're only given the green light to possess or drink two units of alcohol at any time. They are also not allowed to drink in a public place.
Glenn Maxwell holds the World Cup trophy aloft as the Aussies celebrated their underdog win in Ahmedabad - but have a careful look at the photo and you'll see something is missing
Pat Cummins (holding trophy) and his teammates marked one of the biggest wins of their careers without a single alcoholic drink anywhere to be seen
The Australian team obviously decided not to pursue the permit option at Narendra Modi Stadium as pictures and videos taken inside the sheds during their victory party don't feature any alcoholic beverages.
However, the beers did flow for some stars once they returned to their hotel rooms, with Mitchell Marsh seen drinking a bottle of lager in an Instagram post that was also shared by Cummins.
Beer and champagne have been synonymous with Australian cricket victories ever since the national team's first Test against England in 1877.
Some of the most famous images in Aussie cricket history show stars such as Shane Warne, David Boon and Doug Walters enjoying a beer or three after winning a match or series.
Adam Zampa (with trophy) and his fellow stars didn't drink a drop of beer or champagne after beating India due to a ban on alcohol in the state of Gujarat, where the final was held
The team's boozy partying made headlines for a different reason in January 2022, when Cummins paused the team's champagne-fuelled celebrations so Muslim batter and teetotaller Usman Khawaja could join in when they won the Ashes 4-0.
'If this video doesn't show you that the boys have my back, I don't know what will,' Khawaja wrote on social media.
'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.'
Mitchell Marsh (pictured far right) was seen enjoying a beer back in his hotel room after the locker room party had ended
Marking a win with a few beers - or some champagne - as Pat Cummins and his teammates did when they beat England in the 2021 Ashes (pictured) - is a long-standing tradition
Cummins and century-scoring matchwinner Travis Head were front and centre as the Aussies marked their sixth World Cup victory on Monday, AEST.
Head was seen enjoying a moment alone with the trophy after his match-winning display, with the players jumping up and down and singing along as one of the team's favourite songs, Freed From Desire, was played.
Cummins spoke of reaching the 'pinnacle' of cricket after Australia claimed their sixth men's World Cup title and, with it, broke the hearts of a nation.
'That's huge, that's the pinnacle in cricket, winning a World Cup, especially here in India,' said Cummins, a captain who this year won the World Test Championship and retained the Ashes,' he said.
'These are the moments you remember for the rest of your life.'
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