Mitch Marsh World Cup photo draws fierce response on social media

A photo of World Cup winner Mitch Marsh viewed well over two million times has drawn a fierce response from Indian fans.

A photo has emerged of a very happy World Cup winner Mitch Marsh kicking back with a beer in one hand and his socked feet resting on the trophy.

Cue the outrage.

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The Aussie side had every right to celebrate a stunning victory over hosts India that secured a sixth men’s one-day World Cup title.

But the manner of Marsh’s victory pose did not sit well with many fans, particularly those in India.

The photo was posted by well known cricket social media identity Mufaddal Vohra to his more than 750,000 followers with the caption “Mitchell Marsh with the World Cup”.

Posted about 12 hours after Australia’s victory, it has been viewed over 2.4 million times at the time of writing and the very first comment gets the ball rolling.

The offending photo of Mitch Marsh and the World Cup trophy. Photo: Twitter

“Dude that’s (the) World Cup, respect please,” writes an account called Virat facts.

That comment has been liked over 1,800 times and similar comments keep coming.

“Have some respect towards WC Trophy!! Please,” writes one.

“Bro, show some respect to the World Cup trophy,” states another. “Ask Indian fans or team India about the value of this trophy.”

“Have some respect for the World Cup man,” wrote a third, alongside photos of Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar kissing the trophy.

“This is utterly shameful,” was another comment.

“No respect for the trophy, that’s Australia for you,” was another stinging comment.

One fan even suggested punishment.

Marsh (far right) and compatriots enjoying a more conventional celebration with the trophy.(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

“Very Disrespectful,” they wrote. “ICC must take action against Marsh.”

This being social media, of course, there were also a vast number of opposing views.

“They’ve won the WC fair and square. They can do whatever the f**k they want to,” was one blunt reply to all the fuss.

“Lol dude it’s their world cup now they can do whatever the hell they wanna do with it,” wrote another.

They are some of the cleaner retorts.

Another made reference to the famous “Shoey” celebration, showing a photo of Matthew Wade apparently celebrating Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup win from 2021.

When they won t20 world cup, its how they celebrate, we need to take a chill pill pic.twitter.com/pDFX9t4c90

— Syed Irfan Ahmad (@Iam_SyedIrfan) November 20, 2023

A number of others were quick to point out that as Indians, they were simply jealous of the Australian success.

No we aren't jealous 💔 pic.twitter.com/nrPkM4uJBH

— ADIfications (@adi_fications) November 20, 2023

Congratulations Australia 💔 pic.twitter.com/huAr9dlTRu

— Syed Irfan Ahmad (@Iam_SyedIrfan) November 20, 2023

In the match itself, Australian captain Pat Cummins pulled a surprise when he opted to bowl first after winning the toss.

Most expressed their shock at that decision, with Indian counterpart Rohit Sharma stating his side would have batted if they had won the toss, sticking with conventional thinking.

But it would prove an inspired call, with the Aussies restricting India to 240 all out with the bat before a classic Travis Head knock carried the visitors home with six wickets and 42 balls remaining.

With Australia having now claimed six of the 13 men’s 50-over World Cups held, we’ll leave the last word to Rick Bryan on X.

“Meh we have six, the others are propping up a makeshift coffee table.”