Australian cricketers falsely accused of handshake controversy with India

A video that led to Australian players being accused of mocking India’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistan at the Asia Cup, was actually filmed before the countries clashed in the competition.

Footage of several Australian stars coming up with new greetings for their Indian counterparts went viral this week after it was posted by Kayo.

In the now-deleted video it was suggested by the hosts that India have a “critical weakness” when it comes to the “traditional welcome” of a handshake.

Josh Hazlewood, Mitch Marsh, Alyssa Healy, Alana King, Glenn Maxwell, Grace Harris and Sophie Molineux made alternative gestures which Indian publications claimed mocked their cricket teams, ahead of their looming white-ball series.

It follows India and Pakistan players not shaking hands in their Asia Cup matches last month after ongoing tensions between the countries.

India also refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from a Pakistan official, following a war between the countries that also briefly stopped the IPL and PSL this year.

The story also picked up traction in English publications on Friday night, in the lead up to this summer’s Ashes.

But AAP can confirm the footage was filmed at Cricket Australia’s content camp on September 2 and 3, before the Asia Cup even started.

That timeline is further backed up by the fact Australia’s women’s team was already in India for the World Cup at the time of the Asia Cup controversy.

It’s understood the clip was being made in reference to England being unhappy that India would not shake hands and agree to a draw in a Test match in July.

At the time, England were heavily criticised for their angst towards Indian pair Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar for wanting to reach their centuries rather than end the game early.

Kayo initially posted the video earlier this week, but then took it down after complaints it was political in nature.