Australian players taunted India and caught them off guard ahead of the first ODI in Perth. Australian players have trolled India’s fresh controversies since the Asia Cup fixtures and planned humiliating ways to salute the Men in Blue this summer.
India is all set to travel to Australia for a three-match ODI series, followed by a 5-match T20I series, which is scheduled to be played from October 19 to November 9. The Indian players are expected to leave on October 15 for the series.
India are set to return for Australia on the 15th, and all the players are called to assemble in the national capital a day before the departure date.
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Australian players implement new tricks to catch India off guard
India was insulted by Australian players for their conduct against Pakistan during the 2025 Asia Cup. The Indian team has engaged in several controversies associated with the Pahalgam attacks, as well as their Operation Sindoor.
“We all know India are on their way, but we have identified a critical weakness. Now we know they are not big fans of the traditional salute, so we can dismiss them before they even throw a ball,” the KayoSports presenters said.
All Australian players, including Glenn Maxwell, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis, Mitchell Marsh and Matt Short, alongside cricketers Alyssa Healy, Alana King, Tahila McGarth and Sophie Molineux, joined forces in the exclusive show.
“We put Travis Head’s finger in the ice cup,” remarked Mitchell Marsh, the Australian skipper.
“We have healing hands, don’t we, Kingy!!” Alyssa Healy teamed up with Alana King for their trademark celebration.
“We’re thinking popcorn,” said Nathan Ellis, while Matt Short immediately added: “Put some salt on it.”
Josh Hazlewood releases ‘The Shooter’ to mock India-Pakistan controversies
Josh Hazlewood has a long rivalry with the Indian side; however, he is also associated with the IPL, having played with several Indian players in the CSK and RCB camps. Josh was also part of RCB’s victorious campaign in IPL 2025.
Hazlewood is likely to miss part of the India T20I series but will play alongside Mitchell Starc in the ODIs. Since returning from injury, Josh has been a star performer, and with the relatively lesser participation of Starc and Cummins, he often appears as their most experienced hat.
This time, he mocked Indian competitors, giving a first glimpse of the India-Australia rivalry. “And the Shooter? The Shooter!” Josh Hazlewood took a direct look at India’s troubled relationship and the controversies recently developed since the Asia Cup.
Australia lose Carey, Inglis and Zampa for Perth ODI
The Australians have not announced their squad for all matches in the upcoming series against India. Australia will likely miss the services of their seasoned all-rounder Glenn Maxwell for the T20I series.
Moreover, they will largely depend on their players like Travis Head, skipper Mitchell Marsh and all-rounder Cameron Green, since middle-order players like Alex Carey and Josh Inglis were ruled out of the first ODI.
Adam Zampa, the Australian team’s famous spinner, was also ruled out of the first ODI and is expected to return before the Adelaide match.
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