Mitch Marsh is likely to remain public enemy number one in India for some time to come after he declared he would put his feet up on the Cricket World Cup trophy all over again if given the opportunity.
The 32-year-old all-rounder came under attack from Indian fans after an image was posted to social media of him resting his feet on top of the trophy after Australia won a sixth men’s one-day World Cup title last month.
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One diehard Indian fan even went as far as writing a complaint letter to the Indian Prime Minister calling for Marsh to be “handed a lifetime ban from cricket” in India.
“By putting his feet on something that Indians consider sacred [the trophy], Marsh has disrespected both religious and cultural sentiments of the nation,” the complaint letter stated, according to The Quint.
The image of Marsh with his feet up on the trophy was viewed more than 4.1 million times with angry fans mostly arguing the pose was “disrespectful”.
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami also took offence, declaring: “I am hurt.”
“The trophy for which all the teams in the world fight, the trophy which you want to lift over your head, keeping a foot on that trophy did not make me happy,” Shami said.
Marsh, who scored 441 runs at 49.00 during the World Cup, has now responded to the backlash with a commitment that he’d do it all again.
“Yeah probably (would do it again), to be honest,” Marsh told SEN.
“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’s nothing in that.”
Marsh had previously shrugged off the outrage with a hilarious quip that: “It’s got a bit of legs that photo, hasn’t it? Pardon the pun.”
“It’s been a crazy 48 hours, but it’s nice to be back on home soil,” Marsh said.
Marsh insisted his focus was now well and truly on the upcoming Pakistan Test series.
“It’s been a crazy 48 hours, but it’s nice to be back on home soil,” Marsh said.
“Tools down for a while, get home, see the family, relax, and then try and get ready for a big summer.”
The first Test between Australia and Pakistan starts at Perth Stadium on Thursday, December 14.
