India captain Suryakumar Yadav addressed the growing speculation around whether Indian players will exchange handshakes with Pakistan during their high-voltage T20 World Cup Group A match in Colombo. Speaking on the eve of the much-anticipated encounter at the R Premadasa Stadium, the Indian skipper chose to keep his response measured, urging everyone to focus on the cricket rather than off-field narratives.
With memories still fresh from the Asia Cup 2025 where the two sides avoided post-match handshakes amid heightened political tension, the issue has once again become a major talking point. Asked directly if the Indian team would shake hands with Pakistan, Suryakumar avoided a clear answer and instead asked for patience.
“Give it 24 hours. Let’s eat well, sleep well, and see what happens tomorrow,” he told reporters during the pre-match press conference. When pressed further, the captain reiterated that the match itself mattered more than ceremonial gestures, adding that decisions would be clear once the teams took the field.
The question also surfaced earlier in the day during Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s media interaction. He stressed that cricket should always be played in the right spirit but noted that the final call rests with the Indian team. According to him, the expectations of one side should not dictate the actions of the other.
Tensions between the two teams had escalated during the Asia Cup when India declined to shake hands after a group-stage encounter, prompting the Pakistan Cricket Board to lodge a complaint with the ICC. Despite uncertainty surrounding the fixture earlier this year, including a brief announcement of a boycott, the India-Pakistan clash is now set to go ahead as planned.
Reflecting on the pressure of facing Pakistan, Suryakumar acknowledged the magnitude of the occasion while insisting that the team’s focus remains on execution and preparation. He noted that although India-Pakistan matches carry added emotional weight, the players aim to keep things simple and deliver their best on the field.
