Asia Cup 2025 IND vs PAK: India Declines Handshakes With Pakistan After Win. India’s seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 was incredibly memorable for an unforeseen reason. After the last ball had been bowled, the Indian squad refused to participate in the post-game handshake with the opposing team. They opted to walk directly to their dressing room, igniting debate and controversy in the cricketing community.
What happened on the Field in the IND vs PAK match
As the Pakistan players made their way to the traditional handshake line, the Indian team stayed in their dugout. One viral video showed Indian cricketers closing their dressing-room door while the Pakistan players and match officials waited on the field for direction. This odd precedent occurred not just with the Pakistani players, but also with the umpires and match referees, who went unrecognized afterwards.
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The Reason for the Refusal
Captain Suryakumar Yadav later explained that the decision was made collectively as a team, but it was not spontaneous. The decision was in accordance with the BCCI and Indian government protocols. The team came “only to play cricket,” but “some things are bigger than sportsmanship.” Reports have associated the refusal to shake hands with the Pahalgam terror attack this past year that claimed multiple Indian civilians and security force deaths. After the victory, players dedicated their victory to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and the armed forces involved in Operation Sindoor.
Pakistan’s Reaction
Pakistan coach Mike Hesson voiced his disappointment and called it a violation of the spirit of sportsmanship. The captain, Salman Ali Agha, didn’t even participate in the post-match presentation, which was widely regarded as a silent protest.
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The no-handshake highlights again how the political realm affects the cricketing landscape. While India presented this decision as an act of solidarity with those affected by terrorism, Pakistan saw it as a symbolic snub and widened the rift in the already politically charged rivalry in cricket.
