India Refuse Post-Match Handshake After Asia Cup 2025 Win Over Pakistan

Following India's seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium, the Indian cricket team broke with the traditional post-match custom by not shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts, a gesture that drew widespread attention and sparked controversy. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, who were instrumental in securing the win, led the team off the field directly to their dressing room without engaging in the customary handshake, despite the Pakistan team waiting outside. This breach of etiquette extended to the match's toss where neither captain shook hands, reflecting the heightened tensions between the two sides amid ongoing political conflicts and a government policy against bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan. Pakistan's head coach, Mike Hesson, was visibly upset by the incident. Indian sources clarified that the refusal to shake hands was not solely targeted at Pakistan, citing a similar incident with the UAE team earlier in the tournament. The episode underscored the deepening fissures in the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry, where political and historical factors continue to influence sportsmanship and interaction on the field.