Anticipation was high on social media: would India and Bangladesh skip the traditional post-match handshakes after their Asia Cup Super Four encounter in Dubai? The chatter suggested a potential breach of sporting etiquette, but thankfully, a photograph captured by a TimesofIndia.com reporter directly from the stadium immediately set the record straight.
The image clearly showed players from both sides lining up and shaking hands after India’s 41-run win, quashing all speculation. This confusion had stemmed from previous incidents where India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, had twice avoided handshakes with Pakistan’s Salman Agha during both the group stage and the Super Four match, opting instead to greet match officials. This had sparked a wider debate about India’s approach to post-match courtesies with other opposing teams.
However, in Dubai, Suryakumar Yadav and Bangladesh’s stand-in skipper Jaker Ali observed protocol by shaking hands at the toss, and both teams followed suit once the match concluded. These moments of mutual respect served as a timely reminder that, despite fierce competition on the field, India and Bangladesh continue to share healthy sporting relations.
Looking at the match itself, India’s commanding journey into the Asia Cup final was largely propelled by Abhishek Sharma’s explosive innings. He blazed to 75 runs off just 37 balls, hitting six fours and five sixes with impeccable timing and power. Supporting his brilliant knock were vital contributions from Hardik Pandya (38 runs) and Shubman Gill (29 runs), helping India post a challenging total of 168 for 6, even after a brief stumble in the middle overs.
In response, Bangladesh’s chase struggled to gain traction beyond Saif Hassan’s resilient 69 runs. India’s spin duo, Kuldeep Yadav (3/18) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2/29), expertly controlled the middle overs, while pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah (2/18) delivered his signature accurate yorkers. As a result, the “Tigers” were bowled out for 127 in 19.3 overs.
India’s decisive win ensures they are the first team to secure their spot in the final. The upcoming clash between Bangladesh and Pakistan will determine the other finalist, keeping alive the exciting possibility of a highly anticipated third India-Pakistan showdown in the tournament.
For now, though, the cordial post-match handshakes firmly confirm there’s no lingering controversy between India and Bangladesh – just a shared passion for competitive cricket.