A now-deleted promo video by Kayo Sports has sparked controversy after several Australian cricketers appeared to mock India’s no-handshake policy with Pakistan during the Asia Cup and Women’s World Cup.
Ahead of India’s much-anticipated tour of Australia, the video featured players such as Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Grace Harris engaging in light-hearted banter over India’s decision to avoid handshakes with Pakistani players in recent fixtures in the aftermath of the terror attack in Pahalgam and the subsequent strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
“We all know India is on its way. But we’ve identified one critical weakness,” said anchor Ian Higgins in the video.
“We know they’re not huge fans of the traditional greeting,” added co-host Sam Perry, mimicking a handshake. “So, we can throw them off before we’ve even bowled a ball.”
The players then took over, suggesting greeting gestures that could be used in place of handshakes. Glenn Maxwell and Jake Fraser-McGrurk proposed a fist-bump, which went awry, while women’s team cricketers Grace Harris and Sophie Molinuex suggested hilariously inventive gestures.
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Mitchell Marsh, who will captain both the ODI and T20I teams, suggested the ‘finger in the ice cup’, a celebratory gesture popularised by World Cup-winning opener Travis Head.
Australia women’s team captain, Alyssa Healy, who is currently in India for the Women’s World Cup, suggested the ‘Healy Hands’ celebration.
While the video was intended to generate attention ahead of the marquee series, the makers reportedly took it down following backlash on social media.
Sparks are expected to fly on the field as India and Australia prepare to meet in a white-ball series, featuring three ODIs and an equal number of T20Is. Shubman Gill will lead the ODI side in the three-match series, starting 19 October. The ODI series will also mark the highly anticipated return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Suryakumar Yadav will captain the T20I side in a five-match series, beginning 29 October in Canberra.
Notably, it was Suryakumar who led India’s handshake snub during the Asia Cup last month. The controversy arose after India refused to shake hands with Pakistan during the coin toss and post-match, a move that sparked outrage in Pakistan. Indian captain Suryakumar later explained that the gesture was a tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, dedicating the victory to them and the Indian armed forces. However, this explanation drew criticism, with some accusing it of being politically motivated.
Pakistan responded by lodging a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against the Indian players for their conduct. Simultaneously, India filed a complaint against Pakistani players Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for making provocative gestures during the match. Rauf’s “jet crashing” and “6-0” finger signs, along with Farhan’s rifle mimicry, were deemed disrespectful by the Indian team.
The situation escalated further during the trophy presentation ceremony. Indian players refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister, resulting in a delayed and ultimately incomplete ceremony. The trophy was removed from the podium without a formal handover, leaving the Indian team without their deserved moment of celebration.
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