The highly anticipated Women's ODI World Cup match between India and Pakistan on October 5, 2025, in Colombo is generating buzz not just for the on-field rivalry, but also for potential off-field tensions. Following the precedent set during the recent Asia Cup, it is expected that India's captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, will not shake hands with her Pakistani counterpart, Fatima Sana. This decision mirrors the actions of the Indian men's team, who refrained from handshakes with Pakistani players during their Asia Cup encounters.
The Asia Cup saw the Indian men's team, then led by Suryakumar Yadav, declining to engage in the customary post-match handshakes with the Pakistani team. Reports suggested this decision came from higher authorities and was potentially linked to honoring victims of a terror attack in Pahalgam earlier in the year. Furthermore, the Indian team refused to accept the winner's trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has strongly hinted that the women's team would follow a similar approach, remarking on the "hostile" relationship between the two countries. This stance underscores the broader geopolitical tensions influencing the sporting arena. An Indian sports journalist, Boria Majumdar, suggested that the Women's World Cup match would be a continuation of the Asia Cup tensions, anticipating "no handshakes, lots of off-field drama and heightened stakes".
While there is no specific rule mandating handshakes, it is generally considered a gesture of sportsmanship. Some argue that refusing to shake hands mixes politics with sports and goes against the spirit of the game. Others believe that it is a legitimate way to express solidarity or disagreement, especially when diplomatic relations are strained. The ICC has stated that they cannot enforce pre- or post-match handshakes as a rule for teams.
The contrast with the previous ODI World Cup in New Zealand, where images of Indian players interacting warmly with Pakistani player Bismah Maroof's daughter went viral, is stark. This time, a senior BCCI source indicated that even basic pleasantries are unlikely to be exchanged. It is expected that a former player or pundit from a neutral nation will present the toss in Colombo.
Harmanpreet Kaur has remained tight-lipped on the issue, stating her focus is solely on cricket and the match against Sri Lanka, which she considers a tone-setter for the World Cup campaign. She emphasized the team's commitment to controlling what they can on the field and not entertaining external distractions. It remains to be seen whether the ICC will intervene if the no-handshake policy is implemented and a complaint is filed, as the rules do not mandate handshakes.
The decision to potentially forgo handshakes reflects the ongoing complex relationship between India and Pakistan, where political tensions often spill over into sports. Whether this will overshadow the Women's World Cup match remains to be seen, but it has undoubtedly added another layer of intrigue to the highly anticipated encounter.
