The India-Australia white-ball series, starting October 19, 2025, is already simmering with off-field drama. Kayo Sports’ deleted promotional video mocks India’s no-handshake policy with Pakistan from the Asia Cup, drawing sharp criticism.
The clip, featuring Australian anchors Ian Higgins and Sam Perry, calls it India’s “critical weakness,” with players like Mitchell Marsh and Josh Hazlewood adding jabs.
The controversial promo, now deleted, featured Australian presenters Ian Higgins and Sam Perry, joking about India’s supposed “handshake weakness.”
AUS players pre-India clip mocks India no-handshake theatre vs Pak. Why Aussie media & players laughing at stance sold as national pride? @BCCI @JayShah @GautamGambhir @narendramodi @ICC @MithunManhas @vikrantgupta73 @rawatrahul9 @mufaddal_vohra @PadmajaJoshi @ShivAroor pic.twitter.com/lSbuyhEcui
— Maham Fazal (@MahamFazal_) October 14, 2025“We all know India is on its way. But we’ve identified one critical weakness,” Higgins said in the clip. Perry replied, “They’re not big fans of the traditional greeting, so we can throw them off before we’ve even bowled a ball.”
Several Australian players joined the segment with light-hearted gestures, but the humour quickly backfired online.
Lol…Australians are making fun of Indians no handshake saga & cartoon network is crying over it 😂#INDvsAUS #IndvsAusfinal @PakForeverIA pic.twitter.com/fW8EjpdHHF
— R.Ali (@iRiffatalikhan) October 16, 2025Australia’s white-ball captain, Mitchell Marsh, jokingly suggested the “finger in the ice cup,” a move inspired by teammate Travis Head. Spinner Sophie Molineux mimed raised middle fingers, while Josh Hazlewood added, “What about the shooter?”
The clip ended with the players and hosts laughing, but viewers criticised it as insensitive. Following heavy criticism, Kayo Sports deleted the video, though it continues to circulate on social media.
