What happens if there is still animosity present at one of the most intense and politically charged athletic events in the world? Sunday’s India-Pakistan Asia Cup cricket match gave the answers.
After a unanimous decision supported by a key member of the support staff and approved by the BCCI, India’s seven-wicket victory ended on a bitter note when their players declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts.
The rejection was not an impromptu decision.
Amidst increased geopolitical tensions between the two countries after the Pahalgam terror assault in April and India’s subsequent ‘Operation Sindoor’ on terrorist bases across the border in May, the match went ahead in spite of calls for a boycott.
Up to 26 Indian tourists were killed in the heinous terrorist attack in the gorgeous valley, and the Indian camp felt that shaking hands with Pakistani players was too much to ask in the given situation.
After hitting a six to end the match, captain Suryakumar Yadav turned to face the dugout and began to walk away without even looking at Pakistani players.
Salman Agha, the captain of Pakistan, waited in line with his teammates for the traditional handshake and even made his way halfway to the opponents’ dugout, but no one from the Indian team answered.
In fact, the Indian cricketers walked up to the dressing room and closed the door.
“We took a team call. We had come only to play. We had given them a reply. Some things are beyond sportsmanship. We dedicate this victory to our armed forces who took part in ‘Operation Sindoor’ and stand with families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack,” said Suryakumar, when asked whether it was a collective call.
Salman, the captain of Pakistan, refused to attend the post-match presentation ceremony, and their coach, Mike Hesson, acknowledged that the resentment had gotten out of hand.
“We wanted to shake hands but were disappointed that the opposition didn’t do that. Disappointed with the way we played, but we wanted to shake hands,” Hesson said.
“Salman not coming for the post-match presentation was cause and effect after what happened,” he added.
The cricket community took notice when Suryakumar and Salman did not make eye contact and did not shake hands during their Group A match earlier in the evening.
Following their conversations with TV commentator Ravi Shastri, who was presiding over the toss, both captains turned up their team sheets to Zimbabwean match referee Andy Pycroft and then left.
The Indian team’s call regarding the pre- and post-match procedures was reportedly considered well before the game actually began. The BCCI undoubtedly supported the decision to not shake hands, which was made by a key support staff member who is extremely clear about his position on all issues pertaining to Pakistan.
“We are aligned with our government and the BCCI,” captain Surya made sure to bring up the points made by assistant coaches Ryan Ten Doeschate (fielding) and Sitanshu Kotak (batting) in previous press conferences.
India and Pakistan will meet again in the same venue on Sunday, and it is certain that the tension and controversy will spill over.
