Tensions reached a boiling point between India and Pakistan during the Asia Cup as Indian players conspicuously avoided the customary handshake with their opponents on two separate occasions. This unexpected gesture was noticeably absent both before and after their high-stakes Super Four clash in Dubai, which India ultimately won by six wickets with seven balls to spare.
The controversy first sparked during their group-stage encounter a week prior, when India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, famously bypassed shaking hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Agha at the coin toss. This initial incident ignited widespread debate among fans and media, raising concerns about whether these underlying tensions would carry over into their subsequent match.
True to form, at the toss for the Super Four game, Suryakumar once again sidestepped Agha, instead proceeding directly to commentator Ravi Shastri before acknowledging match referee Andy Pycroft. When questioned about India’s bowling decision, the Indian captain stated, “We are going to bowl first. It is a good pitch. Some dew came during our practice session last night. I am really looking forward to this game. Jasprit Bumrah comes back, Varun Chakaravarthy also comes back in for Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh.”
The lack of a handshake at the game’s conclusion further amplified the drama. After successfully chasing down their target, India’s batters, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya, turned straight towards their dressing room and the team camp, conspicuously omitting the traditional post-match handshake with the Pakistani players.
To add to the intrigue, the Indian team, after their victory, emerged from the dressing room and began to walk towards the Pakistani players. However, they only shook hands with the umpires and match officials before turning back, leaving their opponents visibly bewildered.
India’s aggressive chase ultimately secured their win, with Tilak Varma hitting the decisive boundary. Pakistan’s target of 172 runs proved insufficient to prevent a second defeat against the reigning Asia Cup champions.
Prior to the match, Suryakumar had been pressed on the handshake issue during a press conference but expertly deflected the questions. When indirectly asked if India’s ‘no-handshake’ stance would persist, he responded: “What other things are you talking about? You are talking about our performance with the ball? It is a good contest between bat and ball. The whole stadium is packed to the rafters. The best thing is to put your best foot forward and do the best for your country.”
This episode ensured that off-field tensions remained a central talking point, even as the on-field cricket delivered its own moments of drama. The ‘handshake row’ has undoubtedly become one of the most significant and lingering controversies of the Asia Cup 2025.