Australian cricketer Mitchell Marsh booked for 'offending Indian fans'

Complainant asks PM Modi to bar the Aussie all-rounder from playing cricket on Indian soil

Following Australia's emphatic victory over India in the World Cup final, claiming the trophy for the sixth time, a lingering sense of defeat has led to an unexpected controversy with some individuals across India, grappling with the pain of loss, have resorted to venting their frustration on inconsequential matters of little substance.

According to a report by the Indian website, Mint, Australian player Mitchell Marsh found himself in legal trouble in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh town on Friday. He was booked for allegedly "offending the sentiments of Indian cricket team fans."

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The basis for this perplexing legal action stems from a moment of celebration captured on camera when Marsh placed his feet on the ICC Men's World Cup 2023 trophy after Australia's victory over India on November 19.

The complainant, Pandit Keshav, contended that Marsh's actions of disrespecting the trophy had deeply offended the sentiments of Indian cricket team fans. Taking an unusual step, Keshav forwarded a copy of the complaint to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging that the booked Australian player be barred from playing cricket in India.

An FIR was lodged against Australian cricketer #MitchellMarsh in Aligarh, UP

The complaint was filed by RTI activist Pandit Keshav, alleging that Marsh's actions of dropping legs on the World Cup trophy had offended the sentiments of Indian cricket team fans

He also forwarded a… pic.twitter.com/mxNXGBBBqi

— Daily Culture (@DailyCultureYT) November 24, 2023

Adding to the controversy, Mohammed Shami, the highest wicket-taker of the ICC World Cup 2023, expressed his "displeasure" over the matter. He stated, "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" during a statement to reporters on Thursday, as quoted by NDTV Sports.

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The Australian team's resounding victory in the World Cup final, where they secured a six-wicket win, marked their dominance in claiming the title for the sixth time.

However, this triumph was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Mitchell Marsh's celebratory act, which has raised questions about the appropriateness of legal actions driven by sentiments in the realm of sports.