T20 WC 2026: India maintains no-handshake policy with Pakistan
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Colombo: Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav continued India’s no-handshake policy with Pakistan, declining to shake hands with his counterpart Salman Ali Agha during the toss ahead of their T20 World Cup clash in Colombo on Sunday, a practice India has followed since last year’s Asia Cup in Dubai.
A BCCI official confirmed to PTI that the policy will continue for this match. Players and support staff from both sides will also refrain from handshakes after the game.
Suryakumar has maintained the stance as a mark of respect for the families of victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and in solidarity with the Indian Army following Operation Sindoor.
Neither captain committed to a handshake on the eve of the match, with Salman stating he wished to “uphold the spirit of cricket.” For the Indian team, the emotions surrounding the Pahalgam terror attack in April remain raw, particularly after Suryakumar faced backlash for shaking hands with Mohsin Naqvi at the pre-tournament captain’s press meet in Dubai.
With PTI inputs