The Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan in Dubai concluded with a controversial aftermath, as the Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, declined the customary handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts. This decision, according to Yadav, was influenced by "instructions from above" and aligned with the stance of the BCCI and the Indian government.
The gesture, or lack thereof, sparked considerable debate and drew attention to the strained political relations between the two nations. The backdrop to this decision was the recent Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent retaliatory military actions, which have heightened tensions. India had also unveiled a new sports policy restricting bilateral sporting engagements with Pakistan, allowing competition only in multilateral international tournaments.
Suryakumar Yadav explained that the decision was a conscious one, emphasizing solidarity with the victims and families affected by the Pahalgam attack. He stated, "Some things in life are ahead of sportsmanship...We stand with the families of Pahalgam," dedicating the win to the armed forces. He added that the team came to Dubai to play cricket and "gave a proper reply".
The absence of handshakes was evident at multiple stages. Firstly, Yadav and Pakistan's captain, Salman Ali Agha, skipped the customary handshake after the coin toss. It was later revealed that match referee Andy Pycroft had instructed the captains to avoid the pre-toss ritual. Secondly, after India's victory, Suryakumar and Shivam Dube walked off the field without acknowledging the Pakistani players. The Pakistani team waited for the customary exchange, but the Indian team retreated to their dressing room.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a protest, alleging a breach of sportsmanship. Pakistan's coach, Mike Hesson, expressed his disappointment, stating that his team was ready to shake hands and that Salman Agha skipped the post-match presentation in protest. "We were ready to shake hands, (we are) disappointed (the) opposition didn't do that," Hesson said.
Despite the controversy, a source within the BCCI stated that Yadav's decision wasn't specific to Pakistan, as he also refrained from shaking hands with the UAE captain in a previous match. "Every tournament has its own set of rules and regulations. There are tournaments where protocol demands that one needs to shake hands at the toss. For the record, Suryakumar Yadav didn't shake hands with UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem during the last match's toss either," the source said.
The incident has reignited the debate around the role of politics in sports, with opinions divided on whether the Indian team's actions were justified given the circumstances. While some argue it was a necessary expression of solidarity, others view it as a breach of the spirit of the game.
