The Asia Cup 2025 encounter between India and Pakistan has created waves not only for India’s dominant performance but also for the dramatic no handshake gesture that followed the game. After India’s victory, captain Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates avoided shaking hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha and the rest of his side, an act that soon became the most talked-about topic in the cricketing world. Reports now confirm that this move was not decided by the players alone but was the brainchild of India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir.
According to reports in Telecom Asia Sport, Gambhir was the one who orchestrated the handshake snub. In the lead-up to the high-voltage match, he is believed to have advised the Indian players to avoid handshakes and refrain from engaging in conversations with their Pakistani counterparts. His message to the squad was firm and emotionally charged: “Cut down on social media, stop reading the noise. Your job is to play for India. Don’t forget what happened in Pahalgam. Don’t shake hands, don’t engage — just go out, show your best, and win for India.”
Gautam Gambhir’s directive came in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed civilian lives and the subsequent successful Operation Sindoor carried out by the Indian armed forces. For Gambhir, the decision was about more than just cricket—it was about showing solidarity with the victims and their families while also expressing gratitude toward the Indian army. His words and actions were echoed by Suryakumar Yadav, who explained in his press conference that the no handshake act was intended as a tribute.
The Pakistan team, caught off guard by the gesture, attempted to approach the Indian dressing room to offer a friendly gesture, but the doors were closed. The episode quickly spread across social media and sports outlets, becoming a flashpoint in the long-standing rivalry between the two nations.
This clash may not be the last time India and Pakistan meet in the tournament. With both teams in contention for the Super 4 stage and a possible showdown in the final, the tension between the sides is expected to rise further. For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Gambhir’s bold call, a decision that has divided opinion worldwide. While critics argue it undermined the spirit of sportsmanship, supporters see it as a powerful act of patriotism and a reminder of the deep emotions tied to the India–Pakistan cricket rivalry.
