Suryakumar Yadav hesitates to shake hands with Pakistan players: While the Indian government and the BCCI didn’t object to the IND vs PAK match in the Asia Cup and allowed it to proceed as planned, the Indian players, led by Suryakumar Yadav, made a statement of their own by not doing the customary handshake with the Pakistani players before and after their match.
This is as big a statement as the Indian players could have given, with Suryakumar himself later saying plenty of words in tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year and showing solidarity with the Indian armed forces.
The IND vs PAK match on Sunday in Dubai was played amid the huge backdrop of calls for a boycott of this game due to the Pahalgam attack in April by terrorists that saw over two dozen civilians being killed, which was then followed by a crossfire from both nations.
The Indian government gave the green signal to the India vs Pakistan matches in the 2025 Asia Cup, saying that while bilateral series with Pakistan are suspended, India will continue to meet their archrivals in multi-nation tournaments such as the Asia Cup and ICC events.
With the BCCI not taking any stance of their own, Suryakumar Yadav and the players decided to take one themselves.
At the toss, Suryakumar didn’t shake hands with the Pakistan captain, Salman Ali Agha, something which, according to a report in The Indian Express, he had decided on the morning of the match and later conveyed to the coaches and the team while also making it clear that the players can make their own individual choices.
Then, the collective choice of the team came to the fore as none of the Indian players shook hands with their Pakistani counterparts following the conclusion of the IND vs PAK match.
Suryakumar Yadav sealed India’s seven-wicket win with a six in the 16th over of the chase. Without wasting time, Suryakumar and his batting partner, Shivam Dube, walked off the field, having not shaken hands with the Pakistani players.
Suryakumar and Dube were welcomed by the Indian players and coaches near the boundary line, but everyone soon retreated back into the dressing room, and the dressing room door was shut, indicating the Indian contingent will not come out to shake hands with the Pakistani team. The Men In Green looked miffed at India’s decision to avoid a handshake after the completion of the match, while their coach Mike Hesson seemed puzzled.
Video: Suryakumar Yadav and Dube Walk Away Without Shaking Hands With Pakistani Players, Indians Close Dressing Room Door
India sealed their place in the Super 4 round of the Asia Cup 2024, courtesy of their huge wins over the UAE and Pakistan.
Pakistani batsmen fell prey to the Indian spinners and managed a well below-par total of 127 runs, which India mauled down in 15.5 overs. Kuldeep Yadav bagged the Man of the Match award in his second consecutive game for his figures of 3/18.
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