Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Agha Skip Handshake at India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Toss
On September 14, 2025, the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 Group A match in Dubai took a tense turn even before the first ball was bowled. During the pre-match toss at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his Pakistani counterpart, Salman Ali Agha, notably refrained from the customary handshake, a gesture traditionally symbolizing sportsmanship in cricket. Neither captain initiated the gesture, setting a frosty tone for the high-stakes encounter. This incident, occurring against a backdrop of political tensions and boycott calls, has sparked widespread discussion about sports, diplomacy, and the spirit of the game.
The Toss Incident
The toss, conducted by commentator Ravi Shastri, saw Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha win and opt to bat first on a dry Dubai pitch. As the captains crossed paths to speak with Shastri, Suryakumar Yadav walked past Agha without extending his hand, and Agha, in turn, made no attempt to initiate a handshake. Instead, Agha handed his team sheet to the umpire and returned to the dressing room after a brief chat. The moment was captured on video and widely shared on social media platforms like X, with posts highlighting the absence of the customary gesture. One user, @CallMeSheri1_, noted, “No handshake between Salman Ali Agha and SKY at the toss. 👀 #INDvsPAK #AsiaCup2025”.
This rare break from tradition was particularly striking given cricket’s reputation as the “gentleman’s game,” where such gestures are seen as a mark of respect between opponents. The Indian Express reported that Suryakumar had decided on the morning of the match not to shake hands, informing his team that the choice was individual. He reportedly made this decision in light of heightened political tensions, particularly following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, which claimed 26 civilian lives, and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor.
Context: Political Tensions and Boycott Calls
The India-Pakistan match was played under a cloud of controversy, with many Indian fans and political voices calling for a boycott due to deteriorating relations between the two nations. The Pahalgam attack and the subsequent war earlier in 2025 had intensified anti-Pakistan sentiment in India, with some fans on X questioning why the match proceeded at all. The Indian team, led by Suryakumar, was aware of these sentiments, as confirmed by assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, who noted that head coach Gautam Gambhir had advised the players to focus on cricket and ignore external noise.
The handshake snub was not the first point of friction between the captains. Earlier in the week, during the Asia Cup captains’ press conference, Agha had walked off the stage, seemingly avoiding a handshake with Suryakumar. However, later footage showed Agha returning to shake hands as Suryakumar was leaving, though this gesture received backlash from Indian fans who criticized Suryakumar for engaging with Agha and Asian Cricket Council President Mohsin Naqvi, also the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman.
Adding to the tension, Pakistan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf’s earlier comments mocking India’s Operation Sindoor had stirred controversy, with his inclusion in the Asia Cup squad drawing further ire from Indian supporters. These incidents underscored the charged atmosphere surrounding the match, making the lack of a handshake a symbolic reflection of broader geopolitical strains.
Reactions and Implications
The absence of a handshake drew mixed reactions. On X, some Indian fans praised Suryakumar’s stance as a bold statement against cross-border terrorism, with one post stating, “Suryakumar Yadav Leading from the front 😎 #INDvsPAK”. Others viewed it as a departure from cricket’s spirit, arguing that sports should transcend political divides. Pakistani fans, meanwhile, noted Agha’s lack of initiative, with some interpreting it as a reciprocal gesture reflecting mutual restraint.
The incident has reignited debates about the role of sports in diplomacy. Cricket matches between India and Pakistan are often seen as opportunities to foster goodwill, but they also carry the weight of historical and political baggage. The decision by both captains to forgo the handshake was seen by some as a reflection of national sentiment—Suryakumar aligning with India’s firm stance post-Pahalgam, and Agha responding to the frosty reception at the press conference. However, it also raised concerns about whether such actions risk escalating tensions on the field, especially in a tournament as high-profile as the Asia Cup.
Match Context and Team Dynamics
Despite the off-field drama, both teams fielded unchanged line-ups from their previous matches. India’s squad included Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakaravarthy. Pakistan’s XI comprised Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Abrar Ahmed. Pakistan’s decision to bat first was strategic, aiming to set a challenging total on a slow pitch, while India preferred to chase, anticipating dew to aid batting later.
The match itself was critical for Group A standings, with the winner likely securing a spot in the Super Four stage. The absence of veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who retired from T20Is, placed additional responsibility on Suryakumar to lead a relatively young Indian side against a formidable Pakistan team.
Broader Significance
The handshake snub is a poignant reminder of how deeply politics and sports intertwine in India-Pakistan cricket. While the gesture—or lack thereof—may seem minor, it carries significant symbolic weight, especially in the context of recent cross-border tensions. The incident also highlights the pressure on players to reflect national sentiments while maintaining professionalism, as emphasized by India’s coaching staff.
As the Asia Cup progresses, the focus will likely shift to the on-field action, with both teams vying for supremacy in a potential series of clashes in the Super Four and final. However, the toss incident will remain a talking point, underscoring the challenges of maintaining sportsmanship in a politically charged environment. For now, Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha’s decision to skip the handshake serves as a stark reflection of the times, where even cricket cannot fully escape the shadow of geopolitics.
Stay tuned for updates on the India-Pakistan match and its aftermath.
