A fabricated social media post attributed to Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood thrust him into the center of the escalating India-Pakistan conflict, just as the Indian Premier League (IPL) was suspended due to security concerns.
The now-deleted fake post, which circulated Friday night (AEST), praised the “courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment” of “our brave Indian Armed Forces who are out there fighting against Pakistan-based terrorists.”
The message further read: “Know that your fight is not just for India but for the hope of a safer world.” It continued: “We Aussies admire your resilience, and I’m cheering for you, not just as a cricketer but as someone who believes in the power of standing up for what’s right.” The fake message ended with: “Stay strong, stay safe, and know that you’ve got mates across the globe rooting for you.”
Hazlewood, unaware of the impersonation, was quickly cleared by his manager Neil Maxwell, who told News Corp that “Hazlewood does not have any social media accounts.” His IPL team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, acted swiftly to remove the fraudulent account.
Australian players and staff return home as IPL suspended
Hazlewood was among a contingent of Australian players and coaching staff who flew back to Australia over the weekend, following the IPL’s suspension amid rising geopolitical instability. The group included Mitchell Starc, Tim David, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, and high-profile coaches Justin Langer and Mike Hussey.
“Everyone is fine,” Marcus Stoinis said to 9News upon landing in Australia.
Starc, seen arriving with wife Alyssa Healy, did not speak to reporters, but his manager told 9News that “Starc may not return to the IPL due to the conflict.”
While players have returned home, some coaching staff, including Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin, have remained in India. It’s expected that Langer and Hussey may be asked to return to the league if it resumes, though that will depend on government and security advisories.
IPL restart in question as officials weigh safety and logistics
The fate of IPL contracts and payments for those who do not return remains uncertain, though Australian cricket legend Mark Taylor emphasized the human dimension of the crisis: “I think at the end of the day, we are talking about a game of cricket here.” He added: “We are talking about people’s livelihoods, their mental health, as well as their physical health. That to me takes much greater precedence over money.”
