"There was no disrespect meant in that photo": Mitchell Marsh finally speaks up on 'Legs On World Cup Trophy' controversy

• Image Credit: Google

• Dec 1, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Mitchell Marsh clarified that there was no intention of disrespect in the now-infamous photograph...

Digital Desk: Australia's joyous celebrations following their triumph in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 took an unexpected turn as cricketer Mitchell Marsh found himself in the eye of a social media storm. A photograph circulating on Instagram depicted the 32-year-old Aussie all-rounder with his legs casually resting on top of the prestigious World Cup trophy, sparking outrage among fans, especially in India.

Nearly two weeks after the incident, Marsh broke his silence in an exclusive interview with the Australian publication SEN. The cricketer clarified that there was no intention of disrespect in the now-infamous photograph, stating, "There was obviously no disrespect meant in that photo at all. I haven't given it too much thought; I haven't seen a lot on social media, even though everyone tells me it's gone off. There is nothing in that."

When questioned about a potential repeat of the celebration, Marsh candidly replied, "Yeah, probably, to be honest." He further revealed that he had not checked social media since the World Cup victory.

The controversial image prompted backlash from Indian cricket enthusiasts, who deemed Marsh's posture disrespectful. The situation escalated to the point where an activist from Uttar Pradesh's Bhrashtachar Virodhi Sena filed a police complaint against the cricketer. Mrigank Shekhar, Superintendent of Police in Aligarh, confirmed the receipt of the complaint and mentioned that an investigation would proceed once they obtained full details from the cyber cell.

In response to the controversy, Australia decided to rest Marsh from the ongoing T20I series against India, where other members of the victorious squad are participating. Star Indian bowler Mohammed Shami expressed being "hurt" by Marsh's actions in a subsequent interview.

Despite the off-field drama, attention should not be diverted from the cricketing feats achieved during the World Cup. While Marsh contributed significantly with 441 runs, it was Travis Head who stole the limelight with his match-winning 137 in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19. Head, alongside Marnus Labuschagne, played a pivotal role in steering Australia to victory when the team faced a precarious situation at 45-3.