India’s 7-wicket victory over Pakistan at the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai sparked not only headlines for the on-field performance but also for the controversial post-match gesture or lack thereof. After chasing down Pakistan’s modest target of 128 runs, Indian players, including captain Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, walked off the field without shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts, leaving fans and netizens buzzing.
Social media erupted within minutes of the match ending, with users divided over the team’s decision. Many praised India’s players, seeing the move as a silent but powerful statement of solidarity with the families affected by the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s armed forces during Operation Sindoor. Supporters highlighted that the gesture was more than cricket, it was national sentiment and respect for victims.
CAKEWALK 👏#TeamIndia cruise past Pakistan, chasing 127 inside 16 overs 🤩
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 14, 2025
Watch #DPWorldAsiaCup2025, from Sept 9-28 on the Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV.#SonySportsNetwork #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/EncO07RSlD
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Team India (@indiancricketteam)
Cricket analysts noted that the decision also reflected the charged atmosphere surrounding Indo-Pak matches, which often carry a weight far beyond runs and wickets. The backdrop of recent events, including Pakistan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf’s controversial social media post and lingering public outrage over the Pahalgam tragedy, amplified the impact of the post-match gesture.
Here's how the netizens reacted
A tight slap
— amertha.work (@amerthawork) September 14, 2025
No handshake after the win. 🇮🇳
— Praful Verma (@88off58_Dubai) September 14, 2025
That itself was the loudest statement in #INDvsPAK
HUGE RESPECT @surya_14kumar🙌pic.twitter.com/GG2OCDLYH4
No handshake is a good move from Team India 👍 #INDvPAK
— Stanley (@stanip7) September 14, 2025
No handshake with PAK players and dedicated win to indian armed forces 👏👏👏👏.
— Joker (@JokerSpeakz) September 14, 2025
One again very happy birthday @surya_14kumar 🎂🎂#INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/CUOx9O0tdC
-No handshake
— Asia Voice 🎤 (@Asianewss) September 14, 2025
-Shut the door on the face of Pakistan
-Positive statement on Pahalgam attack.
Thank you #IndianCricket ❤
No handshake by Indian team.
— Shana⁴⁵ (@shana45__) September 14, 2025
Pakistan waited for handshake but India went to the dressing room and shut the door.🇮🇳❤️ pic.twitter.com/oRqEVJ9Rzh
I feel no handshake is much better than avoiding playing.
— MT (@Politica101x) September 14, 2025
India wins, but no handshake with Pakistan. This isn’t just cricket, it’s a message for Pahalgam. 🔥🇮🇳"#INDvsPAK | Surya kumar Yadav | Abhishek Sharma | Tilak verma | Kuldeep Yadav | #AsiaCup2025 #IndiaVsPakistan #oprationsindoor #NoHandshakeNeeded #BoycottINDvPAK #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/yuuCbvk2oQ
— राजेश कुमार (@RajeshK60858830) September 14, 2025
For now, the moment has left a lasting impression online, proving once again that in Indo-Pak cricket, even off-field actions can create as much discussion as performances on it. Netizens continue to share opinions, with videos and reactions circulating widely, ensuring that the handshake controversy becomes one of the defining talking points of Asia Cup 2025.
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