All Eyes, No Handshake: Surya Shuts Out Rivalry at India vs Pakistan Toss Time | Asia Cup 2025 Super 4
The Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match between India and Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium wasn't just about cricket; it was about a strong message sent at the toss. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha stuck to the "no handshake" policy that has added a new twist to this already intense rivarly.
After winning the toss, Suryakumar Yadav announced that India would bowl first. He explained that the pitch looked good for batting, but the presence of dew led them to bowl first. There was neither a handshake nor even eye contact between Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha during the India vs Pakistan Toss time.
What Surya Said at the toss:
While people were guessing about the handshake, Suryakumar Yadav remained calm and focused. He said, "We will bowl first. Looks like a nice track, and yesterday there was dew. Since the first round, we have been thinking we are playing a knockout tournament; nothing changes."
"That was a completely different wicket in Abu Dhabi. We feel quite normal , it's just another game, that's what I told the boys."
The Indian Team made two major changes for the match: The Star Pacer Jasprit Bumrah and mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy returned to the Playing XI, replacing Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh.
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The Bigger Drama
The Handshake issue has become one of the most talked about topics of the Asia Cup 2025, which turns the usualy pre-match formalities into caution and drama. All this started when both teams met for the first time in the tournament on September 14, 2025, when Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav didn't shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha.
But, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made this issue so big by blaming the match referee Andy Pycroft for allowing the no-handshake during the toss and demanded his removal from Pakistan's game in the tournament. Even though they threathened to skip the match against the UAE but later played after they claimed Pycroft had apologized with their skipper and coach.
Is there any after-match handshake?
Well, the tensions are at their peak, and Indian players, after winning the toss, simply went to the dugout. Indian coach Gautam Gambhir to shake hands only with umpires, which leaves Pakistani players stunned after the match. This "no-handshake" discussion will now continue throughout the Asia Cup 2025.
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