The much-hyped India-Pakistan clash at the Asia Cup 2025 may have fizzled out on the cricketing front, with Suryakumar Yadav’s men dismantling their arch-rivals with ease.
But off the field, the drama boiled over. The absence of a simple handshake became the loudest statement of the night, sending shockwaves through cricket fans across the globe.
After India’s emphatic win, Pakistan’s players walked up expecting tradition to prevail. Instead, they were met with a slammed dressing room door and silence. No handshakes, no courtesy, no interaction. The message was clear: this was more than just cricket.
At the post-match presentation, Suryakumar explained that the no-handshake stance was meant to honor the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and stand with India’s armed forces. Yet, as per Telecom Asia Sport, the mastermind behind this symbolic snub was not the captain but head coach Gautam Gambhir.
According to the report, Gambhir advised the Indian squad to avoid all pleasantries with Pakistan, including handshakes and conversations, making the players’ intent crystal clear. He also cautioned them against getting distracted. “Cut down on social media, stop reading the noise. Your job is to play for India. Don’t forget what happened in Pahalgam. Don’t shake hands, don’t engage – just go out, show your best, and win for India,” Gambhir reportedly told the team.
Speaking to the Indian broadcaster, Gambhir doubled down on the significance of the act. “Good win. There is still a lot of cricket left in this tournament. This match was important as we wanted to show solidarity with the victims and their families and what they went through during the Pahalgam attack. More importantly, we want to thank the Indian army for their successful Operation Sindoor. We will try to make our country proud and happy.”
Inside the dressing room, talk of boycotting the match had even surfaced, with some players voicing concerns. Gambhir and his support staff, however, urged them to stay calm and focus on sending a message through their game and their silence.
As the dust settles, this may only be the first act of the Asia Cup 2025 saga. India and Pakistan are likely to meet again in the Super 4 stage – and possibly in the final. With Gambhir pulling the strings and emotions running high, every future handshake – or lack of one – will now carry the weight of politics, passion, and pride.