Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has described India’s no-handshake policy towards Pakistan as “stupid” and said it was unbecoming of a major cricketing nation to engage in such antics. India has been implementing a no-handshake policy against Pakistan in all age groups in both men’s and women’s cricket since the 2025 Asia Cup.
The move came in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, and the subsequent Operation Sindoor by the Indian armed forces. Ahead of the two teams’ upcoming match at the 2026 FIFA T20 World Cup, Manjrekar urged India to uphold the spirit of the game by engaging in the customary handshake or refrain from playing Pakistan altogether.
“This ‘no handshake’ is such a stupid thing India has started. It is unbecoming of a nation like ours. Either play the game properly or don’t play at all,” Manjrekar wrote on his X account. Posted by X Sanjay Manjrekar (Source: @SanjayManjrekar)
What did the captains say about “no handshake”?
Meantime, India captain Suryakumar Yadav keeps the tension at bay whether he will shake hands with Pakistan players on Sunday during the toss or after Sunday’s T20 World Cup match in Colombo, he spoke at a pre-match press conference.
“Wait for 24 hours. We are here to play cricket. Eat and sleep well,” Suryakumar told reporters.
On the other hand, Pakistan captain Salman Agha said that the upcoming clash should be played in the right spirit, he added that his team is open to the usual handshake. In a pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s marquee encounter, the Pakistan captain said the decision was ultimately up to India.
“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. It is up to them to decide what to do,” Agha said.
After Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands with the Pakistan captain during the Asia Cup, Pakistan were angered by the gesture and briefly threatened to boycott their subsequent match in the tournament.
However, they eventually agreed to go ahead with the event as the no handshake policy remained in place for the next two matches between the sides. Let’s see what stand the Indian captain takes in the upcoming match.
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Issued by:
Rishabh Beniwal
Published on:
February 15, 2026