Post-Match Handshake Controversy: India’s Action Raises Eyebrows at Asia Cup 2025

The Asia Cup 2025 witnessed a controversial moment following the India-Pakistan match, as India’s players chose not to participate in the traditional post-match handshake, drawing criticism from Pakistan’s head coach, Mike Hesson. The match, which took place on September 14th, concluded with India securing a comfortable seven-wicket victory after successfully chasing a target of 128. After the game, Indian cricketers Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube went directly to the dressing room without acknowledging the Pakistani team. This led to the Pakistan captain, Salman Agha, and head coach, Mike Hesson, waiting near the Indian team area, only to be met with a lack of reciprocation from the Indian side. In the post-match press conference, Hesson stated that his team was ready to shake hands, expressing disappointment over India’s decision. “Obviously, we were ready to shake hands at the end of the game. We were disappointed that our opposition didn’t do that. We went over there to shake hands, and they’d already gone into the changing room,” Hesson explained. He added that “That was a disappointing way for the match to finish. We were disappointed in the way we played, but certainly were willing to go and shake hands.”