In a candid admission reflecting the complex geopolitical landscape, Devajit Saikia, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has indicated that the ‘no-handshake policy’ between Indian and Pakistani cricket teams is expected to continue. This stance, a direct consequence of the prevailing geopolitical situation deemed ‘not conductive’ between the two nations, underscores how deeply non-cricketing factors influence one of sport’s most intense rivalries. This is breaking news analysis from Cricket Mantra.

The Unyielding Stance: Geopolitics at the Crease

Saikia’s remarks come as a reaffirmation of India’s consistent approach towards interactions with Pakistan on the cricket field. When questioned about a potential shift in this policy, Saikia offered a pragmatic, albeit somewhat resigned, response to RevSportz: ‘I am not an astrologer. I cannot predict anything. Everything is dependent on the geopolitical situation. The situation is not very conductive till now. Tomorrow I do not know.‘ This statement is more than just a cautious refusal to speculate; it’s an acknowledgment that for now, the cricket pitch remains an extension of the broader diplomatic environment.

The sentiment highlights a pervasive reality where sporting ties, often seen as avenues for peace and diplomacy, are instead hostage to political tensions. For decades, cricket matches between India and Pakistan have transcended mere sport, becoming events of national significance, often laden with emotional and political weight. The current ‘no-handshake’ policy is a poignant symbol of this complex relationship, where even a simple gesture of sportsmanship is deemed untenable.

A Pattern of Avoidance: Across Formats and Teams

The original article outlines a clear pattern, demonstrating that this policy is not an isolated incident but a consistent directive across various levels of Indian cricket. Several recent instances underscore the implementation of this policy:

• Men’s Team: Indian men’s cricket team skipper Suryakumar Yadav notably avoided shaking hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha during the Asia Cup 2025. This was observed even as the teams reportedly clashed three times during the competition, with players from both sides refraining from exchanging pleasantries. While the year ‘2025’ mentioned in the source might suggest a future event or a typo for a recent one (given the context of the trophy dispute), the core fact remains the deliberate avoidance of pleasantries.
• Women’s Team: The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women’s team followed suit, maintaining the no-handshake policy against their Pakistani counterparts during the Women’s ODI World Cup. This shows the uniformity of the directive across gender-specific teams.
• Developmental Squads: Even at the developmental level, the policy held firm. India A skipper Jitesh Sharma did not shake hands with his Pakistan counterpart during the ongoing Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament, indicating that this is a top-down, institutionalized approach rather than a decision left to individual players.

This consistent implementation across men’s, women’s, and A-team cricket suggests a clear mandate from the BCCI, aligning player conduct with national policy. It reflects a cautious approach aimed at avoiding any gesture that could be misconstrued or create diplomatic discomfort in a sensitive bilateral relationship.

The Asia Cup Trophy Controversy: An Unresolved Chapter

Beyond the lack of handshakes, the geopolitical strain has manifested in another, more tangible dispute: the Asia Cup trophy. Saikia confirmed that the Suryakumar Yadav-led side refused to accept the winner’s trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi after the Asia Cup final, reportedly held ‘recently in Dubai.’ As of now, the trophy has still not been received by India.

Saikia described the situation as ‘unfortunate‘ and expressed hope for a swift resolution: ‘This is an unfortunate situation which has been going on since the final of the Asia Cup recently in Dubai. We hope the trophy will come back to India as soon as possible.‘ He also shed light on the efforts being made behind the scenes to resolve this issue.

He revealed that he personally met the ACC president (whose name was not specified in the original article) on the sidelines of an ICC board meeting. Subsequent meetings involved the ICC chairman, leading to ‘positive discussions, positive signs.’ Saikia hopes that ‘very soon we hope that a solution will come out to close this chapter.‘ This incident elevates the tension beyond mere pleasantries to an official protocol dispute, necessitating interventions from high-ranking officials within global cricket bodies. It signifies the depth of mistrust and the challenges in maintaining even standard cricketing decorum when political relations are strained.

Historical Context and Implications for Cricket

The intertwined history of India-Pakistan cricket is replete with instances where political developments dictated sporting interactions. From outright boycotts to truncated series, the cricket pitch has often been a barometer of the bilateral relationship. This current ‘no-handshake’ policy is another chapter in this complex narrative, highlighting that for the foreseeable future, cricketing ties will remain under the shadow of geopolitical realities.

For fans globally, especially those who cherish the rivalry, this situation is disappointing. The ‘spirit of cricket’ often emphasizes camaraderie and mutual respect, something that a simple handshake symbolizes. When such basic interactions are withheld due to external factors, it inevitably impacts the perception of the game itself. It also raises questions about the role of sports in diplomacy – whether it can act as a bridge or is merely a reflection of current affairs.

From an organizational perspective, the BCCI’s cautious approach is understandable, given the sensitive nature of the relationship and potential public or political backlash from any perceived deviation. However, it places greater pressure on multilateral tournaments like the Asia Cup and World Cup to manage interactions between the teams, ensuring that the focus remains on the sport itself, despite the underlying tensions.

The Road Ahead: Uncertainties and Hopes

Saikia’s statement ‘Tomorrow I do not know‘ encapsulates the uncertainty surrounding India-Pakistan cricket. While ‘positive discussions’ are ongoing regarding the Asia Cup trophy, the fundamental geopolitical ‘non-conductive’ situation shows no immediate signs of improvement. This suggests that the no-handshake policy, and the broader cautious approach, is likely to persist in the short to medium term.

The cricketing world, and particularly the ardent followers of India and Pakistan, will continue to hope for a future where sportsmanship can transcend political boundaries, allowing players to interact freely and celebrate the game in its true spirit. Until then, every encounter between these two cricketing giants will be observed not just for the runs and wickets, but also for the subtle diplomatic signals, or the lack thereof, on and off the field.

---

Disclaimer: Cricket Mantra aggregates breaking cricket news from multiple reputable sources, enriching them with in-depth analysis and expert commentary to provide comprehensive coverage for our readers.