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.
And hence the questionnaire — Why did they not? What’ll happen now? Will India face consequences?
Let’s tackle them, one at a time.
Why Did India Not Shake Hands With Pakistan?
It has to do with Pakistan’s involvement — at least, as claimed by India — in the Pahalgam attack of 22 April, which led to 22 innocent lives being lost. India retaliated with Operation Sindoor, prompting countermeasures from Pakistan and further deepening the animosity between the two neighbours.
Adding fuel to the fire, several former Pakistani cricketers, including Shahid Afridi, made inflammatory remarks in the wake of the attack. Active squad member Faheem Ashraf, who featured in the 14 September fixture, further courted outrage by sharing a distasteful image on Instagram.
Against this backdrop, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, who was already under a lot of scrutiny and criticism for having exchanged greetings with Pakistan’s skipper Salman Ali Agha during the pre-tournament captains’ press conference — albeit, he simply reacted to Agha’s approach — opted to treat the game merely as a professional commitment. In accordance with that, he decided to do away with the formalities, and his team followed suit.
On being asked about whether he has violated the spirit of the game, he said:
We took a call as we came here to only play. We gave a proper reply. Few things are ahead of sportsman spirit. We stand with all victims of Pahalgam terror attack and dedicate it to armed forces who took part in Operation Sindoor.Suryakumar Yadav
Was India's Action Against The Spirit Of The Game?
There is no definitive answer to this. Why? Because there is no singular or unambiguous definition of the 'spirit of cricket.'
The ICC’s Playing Conditions include a preamble dedicated to it, emphasising respect as the cornerstone.
Cricket owes much of its appeal and enjoyment to the fact that it should be played not only according to the Laws (which are incorporated within these Playing Conditions), but also within the Spirit of Cricket. The major responsibility for ensuring fair play rests with the captains, but extends to all players, match officials and, especially in junior cricket, teachers, coaches and parents. Respect is central to the Spirit of Cricket. Respect your captain, team-mates, opponents and the authority of the umpires. Play hard and play fair. Accept the umpire’s decision. Create a positive atmosphere by your own conduct, and encourage others to do likewise. Show self-discipline, even when things go against you. Congratulate the opposition on their successes, and enjoy those of your own team. Thank the officials and your opposition at the end of the match, whatever the result. Cricket is an exciting game that encourages leadership, friendship and teamwork, which brings together people from different nationalities, cultures and religions, especially when played within the Spirit of Cricket.ICC's Playing Conditions
Further, Article 1.4 of the T20I Playing Conditions explicitly states:
The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of Cricket as well as within these Playing Conditions.ICC's Playing Conditions
Yet, the possibility of India being sanctioned, or even reprimanded for not shaking hands is virtually nil.
ICC rulebook stresses the importance of spirit, but nowhere does it stipulate a requirement to shake hands before or after matches. Handshakes may be tradition, but tradition is not law. It might be a sign of cordiality, but cordiality cannot become a compulsion.
On Which Grounds Can A Team Be Penalised, Then?
Article 2 of ICC’s Code of Conduct mentions numerous grounds on which a team can be penalised. They are:
2.1: Excessing appealing
2.2: Abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.
2.3 Use of an audible obscenity during an International Match.
2.4: Disobeying an Umpire’s instruction during an International Match
2.5: Using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.
2.6: Using a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an International Match.
2.7: Public criticism of, or inappropriate comment in relation to an incident occurring in an International Match or any Player, Player Support Personnel, Match Official or team participating in any International Match, irrespective of when such criticism or inappropriate comment is made.
2.8: Showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during an International Match.
2.9: Throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment such as a water bottle) at or near a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other third person in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an International Match.
2.10: Unfair play
2.11: Any attempt to manipulate an International Match for inappropriate strategic or tactical reasons.
2.12: Inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match.
2.13: Personal abuse of a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire or Match Referee during an International Match.
2.14: Changing the condition of the ball in breach of clause 41.3 of the ICC Standard Test Match, ODI and T20I Playing Conditions.
2.15: Attempting to gain an unfair advantage during an International Match
2.16: Intimidation of an Umpire or Match Referee whether by language or conduct (including gestures) during an International Match.
2.17: Threat of assault on another Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire or Match Referee or any other person (including a Spectator) during an International Match.
2.18: Physical assault of another Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match
2.19: Any act of violence on the field of play during an International Match
2.20: Conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game
2.21: Conduct that brings the game into disrepute
While Article 2.20 cautions against conduct contrary to the spirit of the game, it does not mandate handshakes. Article 2.21 addresses bringing the game into disrepute, but once again, handshake refusal is not listed as an offence. Misconduct, in ICC parlance, refers to public misconduct, unruly behaviour and inappropriate comments.
Can India be penalised under ICC’s Unfair Play rules? Absolutely not, for that section only entails — tampering with the ball, deliberately distracting the striker, deliberately obstructing the batter, deliberately bowling dangerous and unfair short deliveries, deliberately bowling dangerous and unfair non-pitching deliveries, deliberately bowling a front-foot no ball, fielding time wasting time, batter wasting time, batter damaging the pitch, fielder damaging the pitch.
There’s another section called Players’ Conduct. India did not violate any rules in this regard as well, for misconduct refers to — physically assaulting a player, committing any form of violence, verbally abusing a player, or threatening assault on the umpire.
India would have risked with a sanction had they been violent, either with their words or actions. They might have received a penalty had they intimidated the opposition by any means.
They did not. Yadav and his men conducted themselves professionally, and regardless of whether the denial of handshakes was unprofessional or not, it will not cause them any reprimand.
Why Was Pakistan Offended?
For a couple of reasons.
Firstly, Pakistan were conveyed of India’s decision to not shake hands or exchange team sheets during the toss by match referee Andy Pycroft. Claiming it to be a non-acceptable act on Pycroft’s part, they lodged a formal protest and requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to remove the Zimbabwean from the Asia Cup.
Manager Naveed Akram Cheema has registered a formal protest against the match referee's behaviour. Match referee requested the captains not to shake hands during the toss.Pakistan Cricket Board
However, according to a Cricbuzz report, ICC has already rejected Pakistan’s plea, for Pycroft had only conveyed what he was told, and had no part to play in India’s decision.
That aside, it has also been reported that Pakistan were aware of India’s decision to not shake hands only during the toss. They did try to exchange formalities after the game, but India’s dressing room was locked shut almost immediately after the victory was secured.
We wanted to shake hands but disappointed that the opposition didn’t do that. We went over there to shake hands, and they'd already gone into the changing room.Mike Hesson, Pakistan's Coach
Has A Handshake Row Ever Struck Cricket?
This controversy is hardly unprecedented. In 2023, Scotland refused to shake hands with Nepal spinner Sandeep Lamichhane during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2. At the time, Lamichhane was accused of rape, and was out on bail. Scotland issued a statement to justify their stance, wherein they mentioned they are against all forms of assault and violence.
A similar controversy happened in India as well, albeit in the domestic circuit. In a 2013 Ranji Trophy match between Railways and Bengal, Railways spinner Murali Kartik ran Bengal’s Sandipan Das at the non-striker’s end. Furious with the act — notably, many believe a non-striker’s end runout also goes against the spirit of the game — Bengal players refused to shake hands with the Railways team after the match.
Very recently, India were involved in another handshake refusal controvery during the Manchester Test against England. Albeit, it had to do with purely cricket’s technicalities, and hence has not been mentioned in this article.
Could The Controversy Not Have Been Avoided?
Yes, the controversy could have been avoided completely. The BCCI might have sidestepped the furore altogether by withdrawing from the Asia Cup — as India did in 1986 when political tensions with Sri Lanka ran high. But this time, the government insisted on participation, citing “practices of international sports bodies and the interest of our own sportspersons” in multinational tournaments.
In simpler terms, India are planning to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, followed by the Olympics in 2036. Entering a political tangle that risks hosting rights is a gamble they cannot afford. The Olympic Charter is explicit: hosts cannot discriminate against athletes based on nationality, politics, race, religion, or gender, and must ensure every nation can participate without hindrance.
Has Any Country Been Banned From Olympics For Their Political Stance?
Yes, there is precedence of that, too.
At the 1962 Asian Games, Indonesia denied visas to Israeli and Taiwanese delegations. This was done to stand in solidarity with the People Republic of China and the Muslim-dominated countries from the Middle East.
However, it was in complete violation of the rules, and as a result, Indonedia were suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from participating in the 1964 Olympics.
But What Happens Now?
The question, however, remains: will this continue? India and Pakistan are very likely to meet again in this Asia Cup, and later at the ICC Women’s World Cup in Colombo. Beyond cricket, India’s javelin star, Neeraj Chopra will face Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Will handshakes be withheld on those stages too?
Moreover, if India are to win the Asia Cup, they are likely to be presented the title by ACC President Mohsin Naqvi, who also happens to be a politician from Pakistan, and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Naqvi has already voiced his disapproval of India’s stance.
Utterly disappointing to witness the lack of sportsmanship today. Dragging politics into the game goes against the very spirit of sports. Lets hope future victories are celebrated by all teams with grace.Mohsin Naqvi
Will India be open to shaking hands with Naqvi?