Handshake debate heats up: Will India change their stance vs Pakistan? | T20 World Cup 2026
The drama surrounding the India-Pakistan handshake debate continues to unfold with the Indian cricket team expected to maintain the status quo of not shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts.
According to media reports, India captain Suryakumar Yadav will maintain status quo and is unlikely to offer a handshake to Pakistan captain Salman Agha during the toss in the T20 World Cup group match in Colombo today. In an environment of increasing uncertainty, only the game of chance will determine whether India will stick to its stance.
Strained Relations Extend to the Cricket Field
The Indian team had also refused to shake hands with Pakistan during last year’s Asia Cup following rising tensions following ‘Operation Sindoor’ last May. Strained relations between the two neighboring countries have become even more intense since then; cricket matches reflected the political chill. Pakistan had initially announced that it would boycott the World Cup match against India in protest at Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament, but reversed that decision last week.
Past events keep the debate alive
The topic of handshakes was a hot topic of conversation throughout last year’s Asia Cup, overshadowed by cricket in many cases. Also, after India’s victory in the Asian Cup final, the team refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council president and Pakistani home minister Mohsin Naqvi, who took the trophy with him. The Indian side is yet to officially claim the trophy.
Suryakumar Yadav keeps the tension alive
When asked about the handshake, India’s skipper left it vague: “You will see in 24 hours. Eat well, sleep well, we will see tomorrow,” he said, neither confirming nor denying the gesture. Pakistan’s captain Salman Agha echoed similar uncertainty and said, “We will see this tomorrow.”
Key issues affecting cricket diplomacy
This decision comes amid ongoing tensions between cricket boards. The Pakistan Cricket Board had threatened to withdraw from the World Cup after Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland, accusing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of putting pressure on smaller teams. Given these unresolved conflicts, India’s decision to maintain the status quo is not surprising.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, in an earlier meeting with ICC officials, had advocated the return of handshakes between players and coaching staff as a gesture of sportsmanship. However, the ICC’s authority on this issue is limited and it appears that traditional handshakes will not continue. After weeks of tension and political maneuvering, Pakistan finally agreed to attend the meeting on February 15.
The MCC’s Spirit of Cricket guidelines encourage players to “respect opponents” but do not mandate handshakes. Therefore, when Indian players refused to shake hands post-match with Pakistan following their Asia Cup victory last year, they were acting within the rules and had every right to do so.
Criticism from Former Players
This ‘not shaking hands’ thing is so stupid that India started it. It does not suit a nation like us. Either play in the spirit of the game or don’t play at all.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 15, 2026
Former India cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar publicly criticized the no-handshake stance and said it was “silly” and unbecoming of a country like India. On social media platform
