Australia Mocks India Over No-Handshake Controversy Ahead of ODI-T20 Series, Sparking Backlash

As the much-anticipated cricket series between India and Australia approaches, tensions have risen off the field due to a viral video showing Australian players mocking Team India's no-handshake stance during the 2025 Asia Cup. The series, starting on October 19, will feature both ODI and T20 matches, with Team India having already arrived in Australia.

The video, which features Australian players including Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, and Jack Fraser-McGurk, shows them humorously greeting each other in unconventional ways instead of shaking hands. An anchor in the clip remarked on India's refusal to participate in traditional greetings like handshakes, dubbing it a "major weakness" that could be exploited.

This act has been viewed as crossing the limits of sportsmanship, especially considering the sensitive context behind India's decision not to shake hands with Pakistan during the Asia Cup, due to strained diplomatic relations between the countries. Critics argue that mocking such a stance is unfair and disrespectful.

As the series gets underway, such controversies are likely to add an extra layer of tension to the on-field battles, with fans and players alike watching closely. The Indian team maintains that their gesture reflected broader political realities rather than sporting disdain.