The much-discussed “no-handshake” between Indian and Pakistani cricketers at the Asia Cup in Dubai has generated a lot of debate, but for many Indians it symbolised more than just a missed sporting gesture. After securing a commanding seven-wicket victory, Team India chose not to engage in the customary handshake, a decision shaped by the nation’s collective sentiment in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives.
Far from being an impulsive act, it was a considered decision, supported by the team management and endorsed by the BCCI. For players carrying the emotions of a grieving nation, the move was less about breaking tradition and more about standing firm in the face of repeated provocations across the border.
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While critics abroad may see it as unsporting, within India it was viewed as a dignified stand, a reminder that symbolism in sport can carry the weight of national pride and resilience. The social media quickly amplified the images with many praising the players for echoing the country’s mood rather than conforming to empty gestures.
Cricket between India and Pakistan has always carried layers beyond runs and wickets. On Sunday, India’s dominance on the scoreboard was undeniable. But the absence of a handshake offered another victory, one of principle, unity and the assertion that some values matter more than ritual.
This isn’t the first time international sport has become an arena for silent statements. From Wimbledon to the Olympics, athletes worldwide have used gestures—or the lack of them—to make their stance clear. Viewing from this context, India’s choice in Dubai was not about animosity, but about sending a message: respect and goodwill must be earned, not merely expressed.
This is not the first instance where sport reflected deeper realities. At Wimbledon, Belarusian star Victoria Azarenka too refrained from a post-match handshake with Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, a decision many agreed was “nothing wrong” given the circumstances.
By Joe Williams
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