India and Pakistan faced each other in the Asia Cup on September 14. In the context of the mutual tension between the two countries, Indian cricketers reportedly refused to shake hands with the Pakistani cricketers on the day of the match. Following this, a comment attributed to former Australian star cricketer Ricky Ponting has been widely circulated on social media. It is claimed that Ricky Ponting said, “This match will be remembered forever. At the end of the game, the Pakistan team politely came forward to shake hands, but India did not want to and went straight to the dressing room. India’s behavior was rude, and Pakistan, through their gentlemanly conduct, was recognized as the true champion.”
See posts circulated on Facebook with this claim here (achieve), here (achieve), here (achieve), and here (achieve).
See posts circulated on Instagram with this claim here (achieve) and here (achieve).
See a post circulated on YouTube with this claim here (achieve).
See a post circulated on TikTok with this claim here (achieve).
Fact-check
The Rumor Scanner team’s investigation found that Ricky Ponting did not make the comment calling India rude and Pakistan gentlemanly champions. In reality, the quote was circulated in Ricky Ponting’s name without any reliable evidence. Ricky Ponting himself has also denied making any such statement.
An observation of various posts circulating with the claim suggests that Ricky Ponting allegedly made the comment on ‘Sky Sports’.
Following this lead, an investigation of ‘Sky Sports’ platforms including its Facebook page, Instagram account, X account, YouTube channel, and website found no post or report in support of the claim.
An examination of Ricky Ponting’s Instagram and X accounts revealed a post shared on both platforms on September 16. In the post, Ricky Ponting said, “I am aware of certain comments being attributed to me on social media. Please know that I categorically did not make those statements and indeed have made no public comment about the Asia Cup at all.”
Additionally, an investigation on this matter, citing Australia-based news outlets ‘The Age’ and ‘The Sydney Morning Herald’, found, “Ponting’s manager James Henderson emphatically reiterated that the former Australian captain had not made the comments. “The quotes are completely false,” he said. “Ricky categorically did not make those comments.’”
Therefore, the claim that Ricky Ponting made a comment calling India rude and Pakistan gentlemanly champions is false.
Sources
- The Age – Ponting targeted with abuse after fake handshake quote spreads on social media
- The Sydney Morning Herald – Ponting targeted with abuse after fake handshake quote spreads on social media
- Ricky Ponting – Instagram Post
