India vs Pakistan: Cricket teams skip handshake, others embrace Asian Games spirit
The India-Pakistan rivalry followed a familiar script in cricket but offered a markedly different picture across other sports at the Asian Games, with the two cricket teams skipping the customary handshake before the men's gold-medal match in Nisshin on Saturday.
India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bat at Korogi Sports Park, but there was no handshake between him and Pakistan skipper Sahibzada Farhan. The two captains acknowledged each other before the toss, but went through the formalities without the customary greeting.
It was in contrast to the interactions between Indian and Pakistani athletes in several other sports at the Games. India's Shreyas Iyer and Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan skip customary handshake at toss at Asian Games (PTI Photo)
In table tennis, players from both sides followed the sport's customary post-match rituals, including handshakes or palm taps with opponents, coaches and officials. The gestures were maintained even during the India-Pakistan team matches.
Squash offered a similar picture. India's Abhay Singh and Pakistan's Muhammad Irfan shook hands after their men's singles semifinal, despite the intensity of their contest. Abhay won 11-3, 12-10, 11-6 to reach the final. India's Abhay Singh and Pakistan's Muhammad Irfan shake hands (PTI Photo) The hockey semifinal between the neighbours produced another contrast. India edged Pakistan 4-3 in a dramatic contest, but the rivalry stayed on the field. Indian and Pakistani players shook hands after the match, while Pakistan coach Tahir Zaman also exchanged handshakes with members of the Indian team.
Volleyball produced perhaps the most striking display of sporting camaraderie. Pakistan defeated India 3-0, but the result did little to diminish the warmth between the players. Pakistani players were seen consoling their Indian counterparts after the match, with middle blocker Musaweer Khan ruffling Amit Balwan Singh's hair and another Pakistan player patting him on the back. India and hockey players shake hands at Asian Games (PTI Photo)
Cricket, however, has continued to take a different route.
The no-handshake practice between the India and Pakistan cricket teams dates back to their meetings during the 2025 Asia Cup and has continued in subsequent encounters. The women's teams also skipped the customary greeting during their Asia Cup meeting in September 2026.SAIM AYUB'S SEND-OFF TO SOORYAVANSHI
The absence of the handshake was not the only moment that added an edge to the gold-medal clash.
After India made a brisk start, Pakistan all-rounder Saim Ayub dismissed 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who had opened alongside Abhishek Sharma. Sooryavanshi had struck two sixes during his nine-ball stay before attempting a reverse-sweep against Ayub and being bowled.
Ayub then celebrated by mimicking a baby cradle, holding his arms as though rocking a child. The gesture was a pointed send-off for Sooryavanshi, the youngest member of India's Asian Games contingent. Screengrab from SonyLIV
Sooryavanshi's dismissal came after he had provided India with an early burst, but Abhishek continued the assault. The left-hander raced to a 28-ball 61 as India surged past 90 inside the first eight overs.
Sanju Samson, promoted to No. 3, could add only two runs from four deliveries before departing, leaving India to rebuild even as Abhishek continued to keep the Pakistan attack under pressure.
For all the history and intensity surrounding India-Pakistan contests, the Asian Games had already offered reminders that the rivalry can look very different depending on the sport.
In cricket, though, the handshake remained absent.- Ends
