Australian cricketers, both men and women, have mocked India’s recent no-handshake stance against Pakistan during the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025. The lighthearted jab came ahead of Australia’s upcoming series against India, with players humorously referencing the controversy in a video shared by Kayo Sports, which was later deleted.
In the video, anchors joked about India’s refusal to engage in post-match handshakes. “We all know India is on its way, but we’ve identified one critical weakness,” said one anchor, while another added, “We know they’re not huge fans of the traditional greeting,” mimicking a handshake.
Australian players, including Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, and Alyssa Healy, joined in the fun. Maxwell and Nathan Ellis mimicked awkward greeting gestures, while Healy wiggled her fingers playfully.
Spinner Sophie Molineux took the humor further with an “Italian salute”, while Marsh jokingly suggested the “finger in the ice cup” gesture. Other players joined with creative alternatives like “healing hands” and “salt on the popcorn.”
The jokes drew laughter across the team, with Hazlewood quipping, “What about the shooter?” The now-deleted Kayo Sports clip continues to circulate widely on social media, sparking mixed reactions from fans.
The parody revived memories of the “handshake saga” during the Asia Cup, where India repeatedly avoided post-match greetings with Pakistan across group and Super Four stages, as well as the final. Pakistan’s team manager, Naveed Akram Cheema, lodged an official complaint, later addressed by match referee Andy Pycroft as a “miscommunication.” The ICC has indicated willingness to review the matter.
India is set to tour Australia for three ODIs and five T20Is starting October 19, before returning home to face South Africa in a multi-format series.
