India vs Pakistan: Gautam Gambhir Instructs Team to Snub Handshakes in Tense Asia Cup Clash
In a bold move during the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, India head coach Gautam Gambhir guided his players to skip handshakes with the Pakistan team before, during, and after their high-stakes match. India crushed Pakistan by seven wickets at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, turning the game into a dominant display of cricket prowess.
According to a report from Telecom Asia Sport, Gambhir came up with this no-handshake strategy himself. He told the Indian players to avoid any physical greetings or chit-chat with their arch-rivals. This came amid the intense India-Pakistan rivalry that always amps up the drama in Asia Cup matches.
Gambhir didn’t stop there. In a heartfelt team talk just before the game, he urged everyone to stay off social media and tune out all the media buzz about the India vs Pakistan showdown. "Cut down on social media, stop reading the noise. Your job is to play for India," he reportedly said. He even reminded them of the tragic Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year, which killed 26 people, adding emotional weight to the moment. "Don’t forget what happened in Pahalgam. Don’t shake hands, don’t engage—just go out, show your best, and win for India."
The buildup to this Asia Cup blockbuster had been tough for the Indian cricket team. Social media exploded with calls to boycott the match after the Pahalgam attack, and some fans harshly labeled the players as "traitors" for stepping onto the field. With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the government giving the green light, the team felt the pressure. Gambhir stepped in with his pep talk to refocus everyone.
The players stuck to the plan. Captain Suryakumar Yadav, or SKY as fans call him, skipped the handshake with Pakistan skipper Salman Agha before and after the toss. After India’s thrilling win, SKY dedicated the victory to India’s armed forces, honoring their efforts following the terror attack. It was a powerful gesture that highlighted the deeper emotions behind this India-Pakistan cricket rivalry.
This Asia Cup 2025 match will be remembered not just for the on-field action, but for how Gambhir rallied his team to stay strong amid the off-field storm.
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