The Indian team had refused to shake hands with Pakistan before and after their Group A match of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 on September 14. India had defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets and, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, had refused to shake hands with the Pakistan team after their victory.

This led to a huge controversy, with PCB blaming match referee Andy Pycroft for not telling Pakistan captain Salman Agha of the no handshake policy and demanding ICC remove him. They even threatened boycotting the UAE game, which was eventually played as Pycroft met with the Pakistan contingent and explained the situation.

When India faced Pakistan again in Super Fours on September 21, neither captain shook hands, and neither did the teams after India registered a 6-wicket win, chasing down a 172-run target in 18.5 overs.

This time, though, India coach Gautam Gambhir changed the protocol a bit and asked the Indian players to shake hands with the officials.

Gambhir was seen requesting that the players exit the dressing room and shake hands with the umpires in a social media video. However, it was stipulated that Pakistani players would not be allowed to shake hands with authorities.

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After the game, India captain Suryakumar also mocked the Pakistan team, asking reporters to stop calling the Indo-Pak cricketing contest a 'rivalry.'

"I think you should stop asking questions on the rivalry because a rivalry is when 15-20 matches are played by both sides, and one side is ahead by 8-7. It is called playing good cricket and a rivalry. 3-0, 10-1, I don't know what the stat is, but this is not a rivalry anymore," he stated.

India will next face Bangladesh on Wednesday, September 24.