The Handshake Controversy in Cricket

The handshake in cricket is a symbolic gesture of sportsmanship, respect, and camaraderie. It reinforces the game’s foundation as the gentleman’s game. While not a mandatory law, it is a powerful tradition that marks key moments in a match and is considered crucial for upholding the spirit of cricket.

At the toss, before a match officially begins, the two captains shake hands in the presence of the match referee. This symbolizes fair play and mutual respect from the very outset. During a match, especially in Test cricket, players often acknowledge good performances by opponent team such as a century by a batter through handshakes, pats on the back, or applause. The most prominent handshake ritual, however, occurs after the game. Regardless of the outcome, players and umpires line up to shake hands, formally concluding the contest. This gesture tempers on-field aggression, allows players to congratulate each other, and reminds everyone that cricket values integrity and respect above rivalry.

India vs. Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025

On September 14, 2025, during a group match of the Asia Cup T20 tournament in Dubai, a major controversy erupted. After India defeated Pakistan, captain Suryakumar Yadav and teammate Shivam Dube walked directly off the field without participating in the customary post-match handshake.

At the press conference, Yadav dedicated the victory to the victims of a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, saying: “Some things in life are beyond sportsmanship.” India’s refusal was widely seen as a gesture of solidarity with the victims and a protest against Pakistan, which India accused of supporting the attack.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) quickly lodged a formal complaint with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), calling the refusal a violation of the spirit of sports. Former Pakistani cricketers also criticized the act, arguing that politics should not interfere with cricket. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), however, clarified that no ICC rule mandates handshakes. Reports also surfaced that match referee Andy Pycroft had advised both captains against handshakes, further fueling controversy. The PCB went so far as to demand Pycroft’s removal, threatening that Pakistan would withdraw from the tournament if their request was not met. However, the ICC rejected the demand, clarifying that handshakes are a tradition but not a mandatory rule. If Pakistan withdrew from the tournament, it would result in significant financial losses for both the ICC and the ACC, so ICC assured that Pycroft would not officiate in any of Pakistan’s upcoming matches.

The Deeper Symbolism

Because handshakes are so deeply embedded in cricketing culture, any refusal becomes a highly visible and symbolic act. At times of strained political relations between nations, such refusals are interpreted as political statements rather than simple breaks from etiquette. For many fans and officials, this raises the question: does it erode the very “spirit of cricket” the game proudly upholds?

If Team India felt so strongly about Pakistan’s role in terrorism, they should have boycotted the match altogether rather than agreeing to play and then insulting opponents afterward. Still, India must tread carefully. Boycotting matches can lead to automatic wins for Pakistan, as seen in the 2025 WCL (World Championship of Legends), when India Legends boycotted a semifinal against Pakistan Legends, resulting in Pakistan advancing by default.

However, tournament organizers, sponsors, and broadcasters pushed for the match to go ahead, and indeed, the Dubai stadium was nearly full—over 90% of the 25,000 seats were occupied, with more than half of the crowd in Indian blue. This shows that commercial interests often outweigh political tensions.

Asia Cup and the Bigger Picture

The ongoing Asia Cup has been criticized as a one-sided tournament, with no team able to challenge India’s dominance. As a result, some fans have lost interest in it. Ravichandran Ashwin had even earlier suggested transforming it into an Asia–Afro Cup by inviting teams like South Africa and the West Indies to provide genuine competition.

Before the start of the match between the two nations, protests were staged across several states in India against the BCCI and the Indian government, with various political groups demanding that India boycott the match against Pakistan in the ongoing T20 tournament. The tension even spilled over onto social media, where some IPL (Indian Premier League) and PSL (Pakistan Super League) teams released posters for the game without mentioning the opponent’s name or logo.

Ironically, controversies such as boycott protests, franchise team posts, and the handshake drama only serve to draw more attention to the tournament and fuel fan interest in future India–Pakistan clashes.

Not the First Time

This was not the first handshake controversy in cricket. On February 17, 2023, Scotland’s men’s team refused to shake hands with Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane after an ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 match. Lamichhane was out on bail on charges of sexual coercion, and Scotland staged a silent protest by refusing to shake his hand, though they shook hands with other Nepal players. Similarly, Namibia players chose fist-bumps over handshakes to register their disapproval.

Say NO to Politics in Sports

At the post-match conference, India’s skipper insisted that there are some things more important than sportsmanship. To me, it seemed less about genuine solidarity and more about following the directives of the Indian government and the BCCI. If cricket is reduced to political puppetry, it risks losing its essence as a sport.

I fully support India’s military operations and national security concerns. But cricket should be approached as cricket. If the Indian government and BCCI were truly serious about boycotting Pakistan, they should not have agreed to play in the first place. Mixing politics into post-match traditions only dilutes the spirit of the game. Many Indian fans on social media echoed this sentiment, expressing disappointment at the team’s refusal to shake hands.

Action & Reaction

The handshake may appear to be a small ritual, but in cricket, it carries weight. It is a reminder that respect and integrity should stand above rivalry and politics. By refusing it, players risk sending the wrong message to millions of fans worldwide—that the game can be overshadowed by politics.

Cricket is not just about winning; it is also about upholding the spirit of the sport. And sometimes, a simple handshake speaks louder than words.