In a clash that was always going to be more than just cricket, India delivered a ruthless 61-run hammering to Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, but it was the absence
of a simple post-match gesture that dominated headlines.
For the second major tournament running, the Indian team stuck to its no-handshake policy, leaving the traditional post-match pleasantries buried under layers of geopolitical frost.
The match itself was a statement. Put in to bat first after Pakistan captain Salman Agha won the toss and chose to field on a slow, spin-friendly R. Premadasa surface, India posted a commanding 175 for 7.
The innings was powered by a breathtaking 77 off just 40 balls from Ishan Kishan, who bludgeoned the Pakistani attack with a mix of power and placement that belied the tricky conditions. Suryakumar Yadav chipped in with a fluent 32, while the lower order ensured India finished strongly. Pakistan's spinners, led by Saim Ayub's 3 for 25, tried to choke the flow, but Kishan's onslaught proved decisive.
The chase was a collapse. Chasing 176, Pakistan were blown away for 114 in 18 overs. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah struck twice each in the powerplay, reducing the Men in Green to 13 for 3 inside three overs. Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel then mopped up the middle order with clever variations. Usman Khan's fighting 44 was the only resistance of note. India's bowling unit was clinical, their biggest T20I win over Pakistan in history, and it sent them straight into the Super Eights.
India vs Pakistan: No Hand Shake Continues
Yet, as the final wicket fell, there were no handshakes. No smiles across the divide. Captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Agha had already set the tone at the toss, maintaining a deliberate distance. The policy, born in the aftermath of the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and India's subsequent military response, has now become a quiet but firm marker of national sentiment. Indian players have made it clear: respect for the game does not extend to gestures that feel hollow amid unresolved pain.
Pakistan lament India, Indians justify with Reason
Ex-Pakistan player Shoaib Akhtar lamented the Indian players and called it disappointing as the handshake went missing again. In the Pakistani TV channels, the likes of Mohammad Amir also criticised India and told them to 'wash their hands with sanitizer' and shake hands. Amir also cited Sanjay Manjrekar, who earlier tweeted and urged the Indian team to shake the hands.
Former Pakistan player Ahmed Shehzad also took a vile dig at Wasim Akram as the Pakistan legend was seen embracing Rohit Sharma in the pre-match trophy presentation.
From the Indian side, ex-players and pundits have justified the no-handshake policy as it is not in the rulebook. Mohammad Kaif diverted the handshake discussion on TV and credited Ishan Kishan and Jasprit Bumrah for the outstanding performances.
