• Source:JND
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India vs Australia Series: Ahead of the highly anticipated series, Australian cricketers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh waded into the controversy surrounding India's handshake snub against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, firing the first salvo in the mind games between the two teams.

India versus Australia cricket showdown is set to electrify fans worldwide, with the two fierce rivals clashing in a three-match ODI series followed by five T20Is, starting October 19 in Perth. The three-match ODI series will mark the return of batting bigwigs Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to international cricket.

The Asia Cup 2025 was spoiled by off-field and on-field tension between India and Pakistan as the Suryakumar Yadav-led side refused to shake hands with their opponents, citing the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

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The matter was further escalated as India declined to accept the trophy from the ACC and PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan's Interior Minister.

As the Men in Blue's Australia tour is on the cusp, Australian cricketers Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell, Alyssa Healy, and Mitchell Marsh have spoken out against India's handshake snub against their traditional foes, adding fuel to the fire.

In a viral video uploaded by Kayo Sports, one anchor hints at a critical weakness in India's team, saying, "We all know India is on its way. But we've identified one critical weakness."

Watch the video here:

The other one then vocalises in, saying, “We know that they're not huge fans of the traditional greeting (handshake), so we can throw them off before we've even bowled a ball.”

Talking about the same, Australia white-ball captain Mitchell Marsh, joined the fray, recreating blistering opener Travis Head's infamous gesture of "finger in the ice cup" move.

Meanwhile, pace ace Josh Hazlewood also maintained his cheeky demeanour, stating, "What about the shooter?”

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Australia have bloostered their pace attack as they have included Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood for the upcoming ODI series against India while Pat Cummins will miss the action due to a back injury.

Australia squad for India ODIs: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Mitchell Owen, Matt Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.