RCB’s Josh Hazlewood praises Indian Army; netizens question silence of Indian cricketers after deleted post

A recent post attributed to Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has stirred both praise and suspicion online. The message, shared on X (formerly Twitter), hailed the Indian Armed Forces for their bravery amid ongoing tensions with Pakistan. But while many users welcomed the gesture, others are questioning whether the account behind the post is actually authentic.

The post—since deleted—read like a heartfelt tribute to Indian soldiers. It said: "To the soldiers of India, I want to say from the bottom of my heart: you are absolute legends... Stay strong, stay safe, and know that you've got mates across the globe rooting for you."

Hazlewood, who plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL, reportedly added that the soldiers’ courage inspired “millions” including himself.

This post came amid reports that several Australian cricketers, including Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Travis Head, expressed safety concerns while being in India during IPL 2025. Coaches Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin are also in the country, further highlighting the seriousness of the geopolitical atmosphere.

However, almost immediately after the post gained traction—racking up over two million views—it disappeared from the account. That move only added fuel to the controversy. Users began digging deeper and noticed inconsistencies.

While the account follows several verified cricketers and IPL franchises, no one seems to follow it back. Moreover, the account was reportedly created in 2023, raising doubts about its authenticity. Some fans assumed it was Hazlewood's real handle and commended him for his bold stance. But others remained sceptical.

A user asked Grok, an AI assistant, to verify the account. Grok replied,

“The post from Josh Hazlewood’s verified X account appears to be real… There’s no evidence of the account being compromised, and the context fits the current situation. Overall, the evidence suggests the post is likely genuine.”

Still, the lack of public acknowledgment from Hazlewood or Cricket Australia has kept the cloud of doubt hanging. The deleted tweet has since sparked a wave of debates on fan forums, news platforms, and social media. Some are calling for official clarification, while others demand that Indian cricketers break their silence and express solidarity during such a sensitive national moment.

Netizens, meanwhile, had a field day reacting. One user posted:

"This is bigger than RCB winning the IPL trophy! Thanks Josh!"

Another wrote, "Dhoni ko Australia bhej do, isko India le aao. Trade offer."

But the reactions weren’t all about Hazlewood. Many turned their attention to Indian cricketers for staying silent.

"Indian cricketers are keeping mum coz they only post when they are paid," one user complained. Another took a direct swipe at Virat Kohli, saying:

"Thanks for standing with us in this tough moment. We appreciate your courage. On the other hand, we Indians discard the selfish coward #ViratKohli."

One user sarcastically added: "Balls bigger than Dhoni."

And another wrote, "It took an Aussie cricketer to speak the truth. Not one of our so called cricketing heroes has issued a statement like this. Supporting Armed forces… yes… but not one addressing the real issue!You are a brave, upright man @HOFFHazlewood You have the balls. Not one in ICT has em. Vada pav, chokli, dravidoid king… none!They worry more about their sponsors BIG SHAME!"

At the heart of the outrage lies a wider question: Should public figures speak up in times of national crisis?

The Indian government launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, a tragic incident reportedly targeting pilgrims. The cross-border airstrikes into Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir were followed by Pakistani retaliation via drone and artillery attacks.

In such moments, public statements—even symbolic ones—can become rallying cries. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the precision of the Indian strikes. Senior military officials, including both Hindu and Muslim women, fronted press briefings—clearly a move aimed at showcasing unity and national strength. Hazlewood’s post, real or fake, tapped into this atmosphere. Whether it was a genuine show of support or a well-executed hoax, it has exposed the intense scrutiny athletes now face online. In India’s current climate, silence and speech both carry weight—and consequences.