Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised India’s continued refusal to exchange handshakes with Pakistan, calling the policy “si...
Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised India’s continued refusal to exchange handshakes with Pakistan, calling the policy “silly” and contrary to the spirit of cricket. India have avoided customary handshakes with Pakistan since the Asia Cup, a stance followed across men’s and women’s age-group matches. The issue resurfaced during high-stakes Pakistan-India T20 World Cup clash in Colombo on Sunday, drawing renewed scrutiny from former players and fans. Manjrekar urged Indian cricket authorities and players to take a clear and consistent position, arguing that selective adherence to cricketing traditions undermines the game’s values. “This ‘no shaking hands’ is such a silly thing that India has started. It’s unbecoming of a nation like ours,” Manjrekar wrote on X. “Either play properly within the spirit of the game or don’t play at all.” 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. — Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 15, 2026 At the pre-match press conference, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav chose to play down the controversy, declining to offer clarity on whether the tradition would be observed after the match. “Wait for 24 hours. Eat well, sleep well, we will see tomorrow,” he told reporters, steering the focus back to on-field matters. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, however, struck a conciliatory tone, emphasising that cricket should be played according to long-established customs. “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,” he said. “It’s up to them to decide what to do.” The issue was again visible at the toss, where both captains avoided the customary handshake. Agha refrained from interacting with Yadav, who later mirrored the gesture, resulting in no visible exchange between the two leaders. Reports ahead of the match had suggested that both teams would continue the practice introduced during the Asia Cup 2025. That tournament saw India and Pakistan meet three times, with no handshakes exchanged on any occasion, marking a clear departure from cricketing norms. Critics argued that while geopolitical tensions often spill into sporting contests between the neighbours, basic traditions such as handshakes symbolise respect between players, regardless of rivalry. Supporters of the policy, however, view it as a reflection of strained bilateral relations.
from Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/4fwvApT
No comments