The stage is set for one of cricket’s most charged showdowns: India vs Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final. But this isn’t just about cricket — it is coated in emotion, political tensions, and a growing narrative that transcends sport.
Team India is being led by Suryakumar Yadav, whose leadership and form have become focal points in recent days. India has already defeated Pakistan twice in the current tournament, and both victories were underscored by a refusal to shake hands — a symbolic boycott that has fueled debate across cricketing and diplomatic circles.
In their first meeting during the group stage, India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets. Suryakumar’s unbeaten 47 guided India to victory after their spin attack dismantled the Pakistani batting line-up. After the match, Indian players, including Yadav, did not shake hands with the Pakistani side — walking off the field directly to the dressing room. That moment was viewed by many as a deliberate gesture, referencing the political animosities and recent tragic events.
In their second meeting (Super Four stage), India again prevailed — by six wickets. And once more, the handshake was omitted. At the toss, Yadav did not shake hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha. The Indian team, having won, exited without engaging in a post-match handshake — a decision widely interpreted as a symbolic stand. Pakistani officials expressed disappointment: their coach, Mike Hesson, lamented that the gesture (or omission) undermined cricket’s spirit.
From the Indian side, it is being framed as solidarity with national sentiment and a response to terror incidents — especially the Pahalgam terror attack in April.
On 22 April 2025, a brutal terrorist assault in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, claimed the lives of 26 civilians and injured many more. The victims were tourists and civilians visiting the scenic valley. India immediately linked the attack to cross-border terror networks, amplifying tensions with Pakistan. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor in early May, targeting militant infrastructure in Pakistan and enforcing diplomatic reprisals.
The attack has become a flashpoint for national sentiment. Players and fans alike have zeroed in on it as a reference point. Yadav, in prior games, dedicated India’s wins to the victims and Indian armed forces, prompting the ICC to penalize him, citing violations of the Code of Conduct for mixing political statements with sport. Critics argue such gestures politicize cricket; supporters see them as moral stands. The refusal to shake hands is widely viewed in this same frame: not an act of sportspersonship, but a symbolic assertion of national grief, anger, and resistance.
Yadav’s captaincy will be under intense scrutiny. After two wins against Pakistan, momentum is firmly with India.