Handshake debate heats up: Will India change their stance vs Pakistan? | T20 World Cup 2026
The drama revolving the India-Pakistan handshake controversy continues to evolve with the Indian cricket team expected to maintain their status quo of not shaking hands with their Pakistan counterparts.
According to media reports, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav will maintain India’s status quo and is unlikely to offer a handshake to Pakistan captain Salman Agha during the toss during the T20 World Cup group match in Colombo today.
Tense Relations Extend to the Cricket Field
The Indian team had also declined to shake hands with Pakistan during last year’s Asia Cup, following heightened tensions after ‘Operation Sindoor’ last May. The strained relations between the two neighboring countries have only intensified since then, with cricket encounters reflecting the political chill. Pakistan had initially announced a boycott of the World Cup match against India in protest over Bangladesh’s exclusion but reversed the decision last week.
Past incidents keep the controversy alive
The handshake issue dominated conversations throughout last year’s Asia Cup, overshadowing the cricket on several occasions. Additionally, after India’s victory in the Asia Cup final, the team refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council chairman and Pakistan’s interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, who took the trophy with him. The Indian side has yet to receive the trophy officially.
Suryakumar Yadav keeps suspense alive
When questioned about the handshake, India’s captain kept things ambiguous: “You will see in 24 hours. Eat well, sleep well, we will see tomorrow,” he remarked, neither confirming nor denying the gesture. Pakistan’s captain Salman Agha echoed similar uncertainty, stating, “We will see it tomorrow.”
Underlying issues affecting cricket diplomacy
This decision comes amid ongoing tensions between the cricket boards. The Pakistan Cricket Board had threatened to withdraw from the World Cup after Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland, accusing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of pressuring smaller teams. Given these unresolved conflicts, India’s decision to maintain the status quo is unsurprising.
