A Gold Medal Thriller in Nisshin
India clinched the men's cricket gold medal at the Asian Games 2026, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan by 19 runs in a pulsating final. Opting to bat first, India put up a formidable total of 211 for 6, powered by blistering half-centuries from Abhishek
Sharma, who scored 61, and Tilak Varma, who provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 51. In response, Pakistan fought valiantly, with Hasan Nawaz playing a spectacular innings of 96. However, the Indian bowlers, led by Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, held their nerve to restrict Pakistan to 192 for 6, securing India's second consecutive gold medal in the event.
The Answer: A Conspicuous Absence
To answer the headline's question directly: no, the Indian and Pakistani players did not shake hands after the final. The customary post-match gesture was conspicuously absent, a move that reflects the ongoing strained diplomatic relations between the two nations. Reports from the ground in Nisshin confirmed that the two teams avoided the formality, both at the pre-match toss between captains Shreyas Iyer and Sahibzada Farhan, and after the final ball was bowled. As the Indian players celebrated their victory, the Pakistani team had already retreated towards their dressing room. This continues a pattern seen in India-Pakistan cricket matches since the Asia Cup in 2025.
A 'Cricket Only' Stance
Interestingly, this avoidance of handshakes appears to be a stance specific to the cricket teams. Throughout the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, athletes from India and Pakistan competing in other sports were seen exchanging pleasantries and handshakes. In events like table tennis, squash, and even the high-intensity hockey semi-final, players from both countries upheld the traditional gestures of sportsmanship. This contrast highlights how the political tensions between the two countries are most visibly reflected on the cricket pitch, where the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has maintained a firm stance.
Context of a Continuing Trend
The lack of handshakes is not a new development. This practice began during the 2025 Asia Cup and has been consistently followed in subsequent men's and women's cricket encounters. The decision is linked to the broader political climate between the two South Asian neighbours. During previous tournaments, the Indian team also declined to accept trophies from officials associated with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). While the on-field contest in Nisshin was reported to be free of controversy and focused on the sport, the off-field protocols signalled a continuation of the established diplomatic chill.
