The Indian cricket team’s decision to avoid handshakes with Pakistan players during the Asia Cup 2025 has stirred a massive controversy — and now, Australian cricketers have joined the debate, mocking India in a viral video.
After India’s group-stage win against Pakistan, captain Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates did not exchange handshakes with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha or other players. The same stance continued in subsequent matches between the two sides. The move reportedly stemmed from ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attacks.
However, ahead of their upcoming ODI series against India, Australian men’s and women’s cricketers have mocked the gesture in a video posted by Kayo Sports on social media.
In the clip, the anchor says, “We all know India is on its way. But we’ve identified one critical weakness.”
Another anchor adds, “They’re not big fans of the traditional greeting — the handshake — so we can throw them off before we’ve even bowled a ball.”
Several Australian players then appear, suggesting “alternative greetings” in a humorous tone. Mitchell Marsh, Australia’s white-ball captain, mimics a viral on-field moment featuring Travis Head, while Josh Hazlewood makes a finger-gun gesture, jokingly saying, “What about the shooter?”
The clip, however, drew major backlash for a brief act by Australia women’s spinner Sophie Molineux, who raises her hands and makes a blurred gesture that many viewers interpreted as showing her middle fingers.
The video ends with Marsh, Hazlewood, and Grace Harris laughing together, suggesting the act was more than casual banter — it appeared to be a mockery of India’s political and sporting stance.
India’s tour of Australia begins on October 19 with the first ODI in Perth, followed by matches in Adelaide (October 23) and Sydney (October 25). The tour will then continue with a five-match T20I series from October 29 to November 8.
