Three of Australia's most prominent cricket stars have found themselves at the centre of a brewing international storm after a controversial video mocking traditional Indian and Pakistani handshakes was leaked and subsequently deleted by streaming platform Kayo Sports.
Controversial Content Sparks Immediate Backlash
The footage, which featured Test cricketer Josh Hazlewood alongside white-ball specialists Glenn Maxwell and women's team captain Alyssa Healy, showed the players engaging in exaggerated handshake routines that appeared to parody mannerisms commonly associated with subcontinental cricket culture.
Social media platforms erupted with criticism almost immediately after the video surfaced, with fans and commentators from across the cricket world condemning the content as culturally insensitive and disrespectful toward two of the sport's most passionate nations.
Swift Damage Control as Video Disappears
Kayo Sports, the Fox Sports-owned streaming service that published the content, moved rapidly to contain the fallout. The platform removed the controversial segment within hours of its release, acknowledging the material had caused significant offence.
"The segment was intended to be light-hearted but we acknowledge it missed the mark," a Kayo Sports spokesperson stated. "We have removed the content and apologise for any offence caused."
Players Under Fire Amid Growing Tensions
The incident comes at a particularly sensitive time in international cricket relations, with India and Pakistan maintaining limited bilateral cricket contact due to longstanding political tensions between the two nations.
Critics were quick to point out the poor timing and judgment shown by the Australian players, particularly given cricket's ongoing efforts to promote greater cultural understanding and respect within the global game.
Neither Cricket Australia nor the individual players involved have made public statements regarding the controversy at the time of writing, though pressure is mounting for an official response from the sport's governing body.
Not the First Controversy for Australian Cricket
This latest incident adds to Australia's complicated history with cultural sensitivity in cricket, coming years after various controversies surrounding player behaviour and the team's approach to the "line" of acceptable conduct.
The deleted video has raised fresh questions about cultural awareness within the Australian setup and the responsibility of star players as ambassadors for the sport internationally.
