During the Asia Cup 2025, Indian cricket captain Suryakumar Yadav chose not to shake hands with Pakistani captain Salman Ali Agha at the toss. He passionately defended his decision as the Indian players kept their distance after the match, retreating into their dressing room, leaving the Pakistani team waiting near the boundary line. Traditionally, players of both teams shake hands post-match as a sign of cordiality and sportsmanship.
When asked by a journalist if refusing to shake hands with the Pakistani team was against sportsmanship, Suryakumar responded, "Some matters are more significant than sportsmanship." Earlier, in the post-match ceremony, Suryakumar expressed solidarity with families affected in Pahalgam, dedicating the victory to the armed forces, hoping they remain a source of inspiration.
Suryakumar added that the decision not to shake hands was unanimously agreed upon by our government and BCCI. Our sole purpose was to play, and we feel our performance was a fitting response.
PAK Captain Absent from Award Ceremony
Pakistan's captain Salman Ali Agha was absent from the post-match award ceremony. Head coach Mike Hesson revealed that the Pakistani team was disappointed by the Indian team's refusal to shake hands, leading to Salman's absence from the ceremony.
Suryakumar Faced Backlash
Suryakumar faced criticism on social media when he was seen shaking hands with Pakistani captain Salman during a pre-tournament captains' meeting in Dubai. Additionally, he was also criticized for greeting Pakistan Cricket Board's chief Mohsin Naqvi with respect.
Maintaining Distance from Social Media
Suryakumar disclosed that the team decided to avoid social media controversies to stay focused on their game. He stated, "Upon arriving in Dubai, my teammates and staff agreed to distance themselves from 70-80% of external noise to better execute our plans. I remained unaware of the outside chatter, as my team ensured I stayed focused and clear-headed on the field."
Contention Over Match with Pakistan
In April, a terrorist attack in Pahalgam had resulted in the tragic loss of 26 innocent lives, targeted based on their religion. India responded through Operation Sindhur with increased tensions between the two nations. This led to significant opposition against the match between India and Pakistan. BCCI held the Asia Cup post government approval, facing severe backlash on social media, despite the sporting ministry's green light in August. Calls from former cricketers and celebrities to boycott the match prevailed irrespective of official permissions.
Match Outcome
In a dominant display, India defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets, with Suryakumar scoring an unbeaten 47 runs. India's performance, with two wins, cemented their top ranking in Group A.
