When India's support staff shut dressing room door even as Pakistan players waited for handshake after Asia Cup clash

NEW DELHI: India’s emphatic seven-wicket win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup on Sunday quickly turned into a political and sporting flashpoint after an extraordinary post-match episode that is already being dubbed "handshake-gate."

As soon as India skipper Suryakumar Yadav hit the winning six to finish the game, he walked towards batting partner Shivam Dube, shook his hand, and then walked off to their dressing room without waiting for the opposing players.

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As per cricketing tradition, players usually shake hands after the final ball. But at the Dubai International Stadium, India’s support staff shut the dressing room door while Pakistan’s players waited on the field, leaving their rivals without the customary gesture of sportsmanship.

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson described the moment as “disappointing.” He told reporters: “We were ready to shake hands at the end of the game. We are disappointed that the opposition did not do that. We went over there and they were already gone to the changing room, so that was obviously a disappointing way to finish the match.”

The Pakistan team stood for a couple of minutes before heading back, only to see their coach race towards India’s changing room — but by then the doors were locked. A visibly frustrated Hesson held a long discussion with match referee Andy Pycroft before walking back towards the pitch. Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha even skipped the post-match presentation in protest, with the team later issuing a statement alleging that “the behaviour of Indian players was against the spirit of sportsmanship.”

India, however, remained defiant. Suryakumar defended the decision, saying: “The team were aligned with the government and Board of Control for Cricket in India in not shaking hands with the Pakistan team. We stand with the victims and families of the Pahalgam terror attack and we express our solidarity. We want to dedicate today’s win to the armed forces.”

Head coach Gautam Gambhir also backed the team’s stance in a broadcast interview, praising the players’ resolve. “The match was important for us because as a team we wanted to show our solidarity to the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. More importantly, we want to thank our armed forces for their successful Operation Sindoor,” Gambhir said.

The fiery exchange overshadowed what had been a one-sided contest on the field, with India’s spinners and top order dominating Pakistan. But by Monday morning, it was not Kuldeep Yadav’s 3-18 or Suryakumar’s unbeaten 47 that trended online — it was the image of Pakistan players waiting for a handshake that never came, as India chose symbolism over ceremony.

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