New Delhi: Team India’s decision not to shake the hands of the Pakistani cricketers and support staff following their Asia Cup 2025 victory in Dubai on Sunday has divided opinions in the cricket fraternity. The Men in Blue are facing severe backlash for adopting the ‘No Handshake Policy’ throughout the lopsided clash, but it appears that the criticism will not sway their stance, which is likely to continue in the two other possible games against the arch-rivals.
The relations between India and Pakistan have been bitter since time immemorial, but that has not affected the on-field position that players tend to maintain against Pakistani cricketers. However, this time around, their stand was completely different.
“Together, we came here, we took a call and I feel we came here just to play the game. I think we gave the proper reply,” Suryakumar, who also walked away without shaking hands with his Pakistani counterpart, Salman Ali Agha, at the coin toss, told PTI asked about the stance taken by his team.
Suryakumar’s reply to a Pakistani journalist, who asked if the stance was “politically motivated”, also attracted attention.
“I feel few things, few things in life are ahead of sportsman’s spirit also. We stand with victims of Pahalgam terror attack and dedicate this victory to our Armed Forces.”
India head coach Gautam Gambhir paid tribute to the Pahalgam attack victims and their families and was all praise for the Indian Armed Forces.
“Good win, there’s a lot of cricket left. More importantly, as a team we wanted to show our solidarity towards the victims, all the families and what they’ve gone through in the Pahalgam attack,” Gambhir told tournament broadcaster Sony Sports Network.
“We also want to thank the armed forces for their success in Operation Sindoor. I am sure we will try and make the country proud and make them happy,” he added.
BCCI was slammed by the opposition parties in India as well as fans on social media for putting money above the sentiments. As a result, the team management got into a huddle to discuss their stance and chose not shaking hands at any given time during the match as a mark of protest. The decision was green-lighted by senior figues in the BCCI after due deliberations.
How the Pakistani cricket fraternity reacted after India’s handshake snub
Former Pakistan cricketers were also left stunned by India’s no-handshake snub.
“I am speechless. It is disheartening. I do not know what to say. Hats off to India, well done. But do not make this political. This is a cricket match. We have said good things about you, just do the handshake, man, it is a game of cricket. Show some grace. Fights happen, but do not take it to the next level by not shaking hands,” Shoaib Akhtar said on Pakistani channel Tapmad.
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif expressed his disappointment on social media.
“Yes you are India cricket, yes you are the best team in the world .. but not to shake hands at the end of the game.. shows your real colours !!! Pakistan players were waiting but Indian players went inside the dressing room !! Where is ICC?” Latif asked.
Meanwhile, the President of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, slammed India for including politics in a game of cricket.
“Utterly disappointing to witness the lack of sportsmanship today. Dragging politics into the game goes against the very spirit of sports. Let’s hope future victories are celebrated by all teams with grace,” he wrote.
No handshake policy to continue
Accoring to a BCCI official, who spoke to PTI on conditions of anonymity, the ‘no handshake’ is a policy decision will be maintained throughout the course of the Asia Cup.
“Look, if you read the rule book, there is no specification about shaking hands with the opposition. It is a goodwill gesture and a sort of convention not law that is followed globally across the sporting spectrum,” a senior BCCI official told PTI.
“If there is no law, then the Indian cricket team is not bound to shake hands with an opposition with whom there is a history of strained relationship,” he added.
India and Pakistan are set to meet again in a Super Four Clash next Sunday, as both teams are likely to finish above UAE and Oman in Group A. A potential meeting in the final on September 28 is also on the cards.