No Handshakes at Toss: Suryakumar Yadav Keeps Formalities Brief Amid India-Pakistan Tension

The rivalry between India and Pakistan spilled over into the formalities of the cricket pitch during their T20 World Cup clash in Colombo. Suryakumar Yadav, leading India, opted against the customary handshake with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha after Pakistan won the toss and elected to chase.

On the eve of the match, Yadav had teased, "I will break the suspense tomorrow. Wait for 24 hours." True to the hint, the message on match day was clear: no handshakes. The chill between the two teams, which began during the Asia Cup last September, persisted unabated.

Yadav approached the toss with a serious demeanor, exchanging brief words with officials before handing over the team sheet. He remained indifferent to Agha, who had previously stated that the handshake decision rested with India. The absence of the gesture was not Yadav's individual choice but a directive from higher up the chain—speculation points toward government-level instructions.

This stance underscores a firm policy: India will interact with Pakistan solely on multilateral platforms like the World Cup, limited to the game itself, and without any off-field pleasantries. The issue had been a focal point in earlier discussions, including a February 10 meeting involving the ICC, PCB, and BCB, where Pakistan threatened to boycott the game over the handshake protocol.

The frosty atmosphere extended beyond the captains. Several former captains from both nations were present for on-field commentary but avoided mingling, sticking to their respective groups.

The decision is poised to attract criticism, particularly from Pakistani analysts. In India, opinions are divided, with former player Sanjay Manjrekar calling it out sharply: "This 'no shaking hands' is such a silly thing that India has started. It's unbecoming of a nation like ours. Either play properly within the spirit of the game or don't play at all."