The recent India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025 has stirred up more conversation off the field than usual — not for something that happened during play, but because of what didn’t. At the end of the game, when the customary post-match handshake is expected, Indian players reportedly left the field without offering the gesture to their Pakistani counterparts or even to match officials.
What happened
India won by seven wickets in their Group A clash, with captain Suryakumar Yadav leading from the front. At the toss, the two captains — Yadav and Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha — notably did not shake hands. After the final wicket, Indian players reportedly proceeded straight off the field into their dressing room, closing the door behind them, bypassing the handshake ritual. Also, Pakistan’s captain skipped the post-match presentation ceremony in protest.
Statements / Justifications
India’s side, led by Yadav, indicated that this was a deliberate decision. They said they informed the match referee before the match about their choice not to shake hands. Yadav also dedicated the win to the Indian armed forces and to the victims of an earlier terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which triggered a military conflict between the two nations in May.
Reactions
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially lodged a complaint, calling India’s behaviour “against the spirit of sports.” Mike Hesson, Pakistan’s head coach, expressed disappointment, saying his team was “ready to shake hands” but found that by the time they approached, the Indian team had already gone off. PCB/ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi also criticised the move, calling it a violation of sportsmanship. On the Indian side, Yadav said their actions were in alignment with the stance of BCCI and with the government, emphasizing that they simply wanted to acknowledge the suffering of people back home.
The Twitteratis who were already abuzz with boycotting the match went into overdrive after India’s no-handshake stance. Here’s how the Twitter world reacted to the entire controversy.
No handshake by Indian team.
This win belongs to our soldiers,” says Suryakumar in the post-match.
Our prayers are with those affected by the Pahalgam terror attack. #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/dYQuWtG4yP
— Hinduism_and_Science (@Hinduism_sci) September 14, 2025
No handshake by Indian team.
Pakistan waited for handshake but India went to the dressing room and closed the doors.
What a humiliation by Indian team 🤣
Belt treatment for Porkis#INDvPAK #IndianCricket #INDvsPAK #indvspak2025 #AsiaCupT20 #AsiaCup #ShubmanGill #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/zXMXZEmiuP
— Aman (@dharma_watch) September 14, 2025
India wins, but no handshake with Pakistan. This isn’t just cricket, it’s a message for Pahalgam. 🔥🇮🇳”#indvspak2025 pic.twitter.com/bMp4oSEFQ6
— Mimansha Trivedi (@TrivediMim20081) September 14, 2025
