Team India sent shockwaves across the cricketing world after their emphatic win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 group stage. What grabbed as much attention as the result itself was India’s bold decision to skip the traditional post-match handshake. A viral video on social media showed the Indian players walking straight to their dressing room after sealing victory, shutting the doors and completely avoiding the customary gesture.
The high-voltage contest had already carried political undertones, played amid rising tensions following the April Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor in May. Despite calls for a boycott, India chose to play, and their on-field dominance carried an extra layer of symbolism.
Suryakumar Yadav, who finished the game in style with a towering six, led his team straight off the field alongside Shivam Dube. The decision left Pakistan players stunned, with skipper Salman Ali Agha and his men queuing up for a handshake but finding the Indian dugout doors firmly closed.
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Speaking after the game, Surya made his stance clear, asserting that the move was a collective team decision. “We took a team call. We had come only to play. We had given them a reply. Some things are beyond sportsmanship. This victory is dedicated to our armed forces who carried out Operation Sindoor and to the families of the Pahalgam victims,” the Indian skipper said.
No handshake by Indian team.
This win belongs to our soldiers,” says Suryakumar in the post-match.
Our prayers are with those affected by the Pahalgam terror attack. #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/dYQuWtG4yP
— Hinduism_and_Science (@Hinduism_sci) September 14, 2025
“India wins, but no handshake with Pakistan. This isn’t just cricket, it’s a message for Pahalgam. 🔥🇮🇳”#INDvsPAK | Surya kumar Yadav | Abhishek Sharma | Tilak verma | Kuldeep Yadav | pic.twitter.com/cDDfK9P9aQ
— Harsh Vardhan (@harshvard100710) September 14, 2025
No handshake by Indian team.
Pakistan waited for handshake but India went to the dressing room and closed the doors.
What a humiliation by Indian team 🤣
Belt treatment for Porkis#INDvPAK #IndianCricket #INDvsPAK #indvspak2025 #AsiaCupT20 #AsiaCup #ShubmanGill #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/zXMXZEmiuP
— Aman (@dharma_watch) September 14, 2025
After hitting winning shot Suryakumar Yadav and Dube didn’t make any handshake.
The boys didn’t have the power to cancel the game but they had the power to win and they won and gave belt treatment in the ending.#INDvsPAK#PKMKBForeverpic.twitter.com/ZylMU63psL
— Vikas Yadav (@imvikasyadav_1) September 14, 2025
On the field, India were clinical. Pakistan, opting to bat first, were restricted to a modest 127/9 as India’s spinners choked their scoring. Kuldeep Yadav starred with three wickets, Axar Patel bagged two, and Varun Chakaravarthy added one. The Men in Green never looked settled against India’s disciplined attack.
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In reply, Abhishek Sharma gave India a flying start with a fiery 31 off just 13 balls. Despite losing two quick wickets, Suryakumar anchored the chase with an unbeaten 47, guiding India home with 25 balls to spare.
With two wins from two, India are all but assured of a Super Four spot, with their final group-stage clash against Oman now seen as an opportunity to fine-tune combinations.
