India U-19 Skip Handshake After Asia Cup Final Loss
jeetbuzz affiliate The Indian Under-19 cricket team did not engage in the customary post-match handshake with Pakistan after suffering a 191-run defeat in the final of the U-19 Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai on Sunday. The Ayush Mhatre-led side also avoided the gesture following the toss in the summit clash.
Repeated Gesture Avoidance During the Tournament
India had taken a similar approach during the group-stage encounter between the two teams, where the handshake was skipped as well. This indicates that the decision was not limited to the final but was a consistent stance maintained throughout the tournament.
Wider Pattern Amid Political Tensions
This move aligns with a broader pattern seen in recent India–Pakistan cricket matches. During the men’s Asia Cup earlier this year, Indian players refrained from pre- and post-match handshakes in all three meetings, and the Indian women’s team followed the same approach at the Women’s World Cup 2025. The stance has coincided with heightened political tensions between the two countries following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people and the subsequent Operation Sindoor.
