In what has otherwise been a lacklustre Asia Cup, the most significant talking point has had little to do with batting, bowling, or fielding. In fact, it has had very little to do with cricket at all.
Handshakes — or more precisely, the conspicuous absence of them — have emerged as the defining source of debate, discord, and discourse ever since India’s clash with Pakistan on 14 September. Amid raging, fervent calls of boycott, India did take the field. They also scored aplenty, took wickets aplenty, and eventually, win. What they did not do, however, was shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts. Be it at the toss, or following the game’s conclusion.