Indian cricket team to maintain its 'no handshake' policy with Pakistan's team during the T20 World Cup, a decision made in solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.
Key Points
- India continues its 'no handshake' policy with Pakistan during the T20 World Cup match.
- Suryakumar Yadav avoided the customary handshake with his Pakistan counterpart Salman Ali Agha during the toss.
- The decision reflects solidarity with the Indian Army following Operation Sindoor.
Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav once again avoided the customary handshake with his Pakistan counterpart Salman Ali Agha during the toss, in the T20 World Cup match in Colombo on Sunday, maintaining the status quo since the Asia Cup in Dubai last year.
Pakistan captain Salman won the toss and elected to bowl in the high-stakes match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
"The No handshake Policy will continue," a BCCI official in Colombo told PTI.
No handshake as a mark of respect for Pahalgam victims
There will also be no handshake between players and support staff of two teams after the end of the match, a norm that has been followed by Suryakumar as a mark of respect for the families of the victims killed in the Pahalgam terror attack and solidarity towards Indian Army in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor.
Both Suryakumar and Salman were non-committal on the handshake issue on the eve of the match on Saturday, while the Pakistan skipper stating that he would like to "uphold" the spirit of cricket.
In case of the Indian team, the emotions of the Pahalgam terror attack in April remain raw. There was a huge backlash after Suryakumar shook hands with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi at the pre-tournament captain's press meet in Dubai.
© 2026