In a significant match at the Asia Cup 2025, the Indian cricket team proudly celebrated their seven-wicket victory over Pakistan, dedicating their win to the families affected by a recent terror attack in Pahalgam and acknowledging the successful execution of Operation Sindoor by the Indian Armed Forces. Head coach Gautam Gambhir expressed gratitude towards the military, while the match itself ignited controversy due to the Indian players’ refusal to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, leading to protests from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The PCB demanded the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, claiming he infringed upon the spirit of cricket by allegedly instructing both teams to skip customary pre-match handshakes, which escalated tensions further. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav justified the decision not to engage in handshakes as a show of solidarity with the victims of the terror attack, making clear that such gestures are not obligatory within cricket’s laws. This incident, combined with the PCB’s protest and subsequent boycott of the post-match presentation ceremony by their captain, has heightened the ongoing political sensitivities surrounding Indo-Pak sporting events. Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar defended the players’ stance, emphasizing that personal choices in such contexts should be respected and that the intertwining of sports and politics is a longstanding reality. With the possibility of additional encounters between the two teams in the tournament, the handshake controversy may continue to be a focal point of discussion, reflecting the complexities of sportsmanship amidst geopolitical tensions.