The build-up to the latest India–Pakistan World Cup clash was dominated not by tactics or team combinations, but by a question of sporting convention: would the two sides shake hands?
By the time the match concluded in Colombo with India securing a commanding 61-run victory to enter the Super Eight, that question had been answered twice — first at the toss, and again at full-time. On both occasions, there was no handshake between the captains or the teams.
Pre-match calls for sporting spirit
Hours before the first ball was bowled, the absence of a handshake had already become a subject of public debate.
Sanjay Manjrekar questioned the stance, writing on X, “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.”
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.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 15, 2026
Ajay Jadeja countered that criticism, responding, “Sanjay, now show me one current indian cricketer who mocked Pakistan during operation sindhoor. You won’t find any, that’s the difference and shaking hands is not mandatory.
Sanjay, now show me one current indian cricketer who mocked Pakistan during operation sindhoor. You won't find any, that's the difference and shaking hands is not mandatory https://t.co/oyvrVU0pcd pic.twitter.com/AaEzWeqyva
— Ajay Jadeja (@AjayJadeja171) February 15, 2026
”
The broader tone surrounding the fixture concerned Harsha Bhogle as well, who said in a video on his YouTube channel, “The truth is I’m not excited by this India-Pakistan game… I fear that my beloved game — our beloved game — is being held hostage to larger economic and political ends. It’s become an arrow to be fired for political gamesmanship. There are geopolitical concerns — points to be won here and there. We’re making provocative promos as always we’re adjusting the draw to fit everyone in, people are making warlike gestures. It’s about politics about the economy I don’t think we enjoy the game anymore. I think we exploit it. And that is the reality of India versus Pakistan today.”
Harsha Bhogle said
"I am not excited about the #INDvsPAK match anymore coz it has become a tool for politics. The game is now filled with provocative statements & war like gestures,that's not cricket"
Finally someone with a spine has spoken
THE GOVT INTERFERENCE HAS RUINED IT pic.twitter.com/uNtWtLoadE
— Nehr_who? (@Nher_who) February 15, 2026
The remarks reflected the heightened sensitivity surrounding a rivalry that has increasingly intersected with geopolitics.
Warmth in the broadcast box contrasts on-field optics
While attention centred on what might happen at the toss, the broadcast offered a different image.
In the commentary box, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar shared an easy camaraderie. Akram repeatedly referred to Shastri as “Shazzy”, while Shastri responded by calling him “Waz”, underscoring enduring professional bonds that stretch beyond national allegiances.
On the host broadcast, Rohit Sharma and Wasim Akram exchanged a warm greeting before carrying the tournament trophy out to the field. In the media area, meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh, Misbah Ul-Haq and Ramiz Raja were seen engaged in friendly conversation away from the spotlight.
Legends Hugs, Kids don’t Shake Hands.. #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/FmfZlF12yA
— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) February 15, 2026
Those scenes stood in contrast to the formality that unfolded between the playing elevens.
A continuation of recent precedent
The decision not to engage in handshakes did not emerge in isolation.
As previously reported by cricexec, the practice first surfaced during the Asia Cup following the April Pahalgam attack. Indian players refrained from pre- and post-match handshakes in multiple encounters, a position that was subsequently carried into the Women’s ODI World Cup, the U-19 Asia Cup and the Rising Stars Asia Cup T20.
In November 2025, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia signalled that any change would depend on broader circumstances, stating, “I am not an astrologer. I cannot predict anything. Everything is dependent on the geopolitical situation. The situation is not very conducive till now. Tomorrow I do not know,” reinforcing that cricketing interactions remain influenced by external realities, while speaking to RevSportz.
Sunday’s World Cup fixture therefore extended an already established pattern.
As previously reported by cricexec, the policy also drew attention during the U-19 Asia Cup, where the ICC had urged that junior cricket be insulated from political undertones and standard sporting protocol be maintained. However, the BCCI’s internal directive remained in place, with the no-handshake approach applied consistently at development level as well. The episode highlighted the governing body’s challenge in balancing tournament neutrality with bilateral sensitivities.
The Men’s Asia Cup earlier in the year had already exposed the administrative strain underpinning the rivalry. As previously reported by cricexec, tensions extended beyond the boundary rope to trophy presentation procedures and post-match ceremony optics, reinforcing how even routine formalities between the two sides now carry symbolic weight. The absence of a handshake, in that context, became part of a broader pattern shaping relations between the two cricket boards.
India assert dominance with bat and ball
Once play began, India imposed themselves decisively.
Ishan Kishan powered the innings with a blistering 77, helping India post 175-7 despite Pakistan deploying six spinners and bowling 18 overs of spin. His aggressive approach neutralised early pressure and shifted momentum firmly in India’s favour.
Reflecting on the magnitude of the occasion at the post-match presentation ceremony, Kishan said, “I think, you know, India vs Pakistan, it’s always a special game. Not only for us, for our country as well. So, you know, we had to win this one, which was a very important game.”
He added, “And you know, they had pretty good spinners in their side and we were just supposed to play the good shots and yeah winning this against Pakistan team you know it will give us a lot of confidence going ahead in the tournament and you know we’ll try to just keep the momentum going.”
Pakistan’s chase faltered early, and they were eventually bowled out for 114 in 18 overs.
Captain Salman Agha conceded that execution proved costly. “Our spinners had an off day today,” he admitted at the post-match presentation ceremony, before explaining, “We always believe in them because they have done well in the last six months. In the first innings it was tacky and the ball was gripping but the execution was missing.”
Rivalry framed through performance, not politics
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson acknowledged the intensity surrounding the fixture but emphasised performance over occasion.
“Yeah, look, we’re trying a few different things. You know, I think the main thing is just focusing on our job. And, you know, if we can limit the distractions as much as possible, I mean, the reality is it’s going to be impossible to limit them completely. And just focus on the job. And to be fair, when we go back in the dressing room, it wasn’t necessarily the occasion, it was actually our cricketing skill that led us down today. And that’s something that we can definitely work on,” he said in the post-match press conference.
He further reflected, “Not understating the importance of the game, it’s just the only thing the players can do is perform and do what they do best. And tonight, as said, it was a bit of a step back from our performance that we would expect.”
From the Indian camp, Axar Patel downplayed the rivalry narrative altogether, stating in the post-match press conference, “We see them as a team – we are not thinking about this as a rivalry or whatever. We are playing against one team and we are focusing on cricket. Whenever I’m playing, I’m not thinking about whatever, I treat it as one match and opponent.”
Gesture eclipses the scoreline
India’s victory strengthened their record against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup and secured progression to the next stage.
Yet the defining visual from the contest was not a celebratory embrace or a closing handshake. Instead, it was the continuation of a deliberate absence — one that ensures the India–Pakistan rivalry remains as much about symbolism as it is about sport.
