Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has called India's no-handshake policy against Pakistan "silly," adding it is unworthy of a big cricketing nation to participate in such behavior. Since the Asia Cup 2025, India has maintained a no-handshake policy against Pakistan in all age levels of men's and women's cricket.
The move followed the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people, and the Indian Armed Forces' subsequent Operation Sindoor.
Ahead of the next T20 World Cup 2026 match between the two teams, Manjrekar has urged India to respect the spirit of the game by exchanging traditional handshakes or to avoid playing Pakistan entirely.
“This ‘no shaking hands’ is such a silly thing that India has started. It’s unbecoming of a nation like ours. Either play properly within the spirit of the game or don’t play at all,” wrote Manjrekar on his X account.
Speaking at the pre-match news conference, India captain Suryakumar Yadav declined to say whether he will shake hands with Pakistan players at the toss or after the T20 World Cup match in Colombo on Sunday.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha, on the other hand, has stated that the upcoming match should be played in the proper spirit and that his squad is willing to participate in the traditional handshake.
“Cricket should be played in the right spirit. My personal opinion may not matter, but cricket should be played the way it has always been played. It’s up to them to decide what to do,” Agha said.
