‘No Handshake’ Controversy Resurfaces Ahead of India-Australia Series

The long-standing “no handshake” controversy has re-emerged ahead of the upcoming India-Australia limited-overs series, reigniting debates surrounding sportsmanship and political undertones in cricket.

The issue first came to prominence during the Asia Cup and continued through the ongoing Women’s One-Day World Cup, where India and Pakistan — two historic rivals — faced off. In both tournaments, two things were consistent: Pakistan suffered heavy defeats to India, and players from both sides refrained from shaking hands after the matches. This lack of post-match courtesy became one of the most talked-about topics across the Asia Cup. Now, unexpectedly, the same debate has resurfaced before India’s tour of Australia.

Series Schedule and Background

The new round of controversy was sparked by a satirical video released on social media by Australian sports network Kayo Sports. The video humorously portrayed Australian cricketers joking about not shaking hands with their Indian counterparts.

The segment begins with a host saying: “We know India are a brilliant team, but we’ve discovered their one weakness.”

Another presenter adds: “They don’t seem too fond of traditional gestures of courtesy — like handshakes. So how about confusing them before the match?”

The video then cuts to Australian cricketers Mitchell Marsh, Alissa Healy, Sophie Molineux, Alana King, Grace Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell, and Jake Fraser-McGurk engaging in playful exchanges. They joke about alternative greetings such as stopping the opponent mid-gesture, offering distant high-fives, performing a traditional Indian-style namaste, or even executing exaggerated celebratory poses from afar.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, it remains unclear when this video was originally filmed. Some speculate it could have been part of an older promotional shoot, as players like Healy and Harris had already left for the Women’s World Cup long before the clip resurfaced.

Once published, the video immediately drew sharp criticism from Indian cricket fans, who deemed it disrespectful and insensitive. Following intense backlash, Kayo Sports promptly deleted the video from its platforms.

This controversy echoes a similar episode from the Asia Cup, when Indian players including Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube refused to shake hands with Pakistani players after matches, citing tensions following a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

The handshake controversy highlights how political and cultural sensitivities continue to seep into the realm of international cricket. Matches between India and Australia are already charged with intense rivalry — not just on the pitch but in verbal exchanges, crowd reactions, and media narratives.

While humour and rivalry are part of cricket’s global appeal, critics argue that such portrayals risk undermining sportsmanship and mutual respect — values cricket has long stood for.

As India prepares to face Australia in Perth, fans and commentators alike will be watching closely — not just for the cricketing action, but for what happens after the final ball is bowled.