Mitch Marsh has insisted he meant no disrespect for his viral celebration that caused a stir across India.
After claiming the World Cup and upsetting the hosts in the process, Marsh was pictured with his feet on the coveted trophy. Indian quick Mohammed Shami said he was “hurt” by the photo while a letter addressed to the India Prime Minister and Sports Ministry demanded Marsh be banned from the country for life.
The 32-year-old all-rounder quickly became public enemy No.1 in India as furious fans reacted to the shock World Cup loss.
On Friday, Marsh offered his first public response to SEN. When asked if he would do it again, he responded: “Yeah probably, to be honest.
“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 plundered 441 runs for the tournament and posted 15 in the final.
While the Western Australian left India days later to continue the celebrations in Australia, six teammates weren’t so lucky.
With a five-match T20I series against India getting underway just four days after the World Cup triumph, celebrations were capped for those who were staying in the sub-continent.
Marsh said he hopes common sense prevails and similar series aren’t fixtured in the future.
“Yeah it was pretty outrageous for the guys that had to stay behind,” he admitted.
“It’s a fine line because we’ve got to respect the fact we’re playing for Australia and it’s a series against India which is always really big.
“But there’s also the human side of it, the boys have just won a World Cup and probably deserve to celebrate for a while and get home to their families.
“It’s an interesting one. You’d hope there’s not too many of those series put on after big tournaments again.”
Marsh added with a laugh: “I celebrated for the six guys who stayed behind, I celebrated for them.”
Steve Smith, Adam Zampa, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis and Sean Abbott have since flown home, with Australia trailing 2-1 midway through the T20I series.
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