India’s refusal to engage in the customary pre-match handshake with Pakistan continued on Sunday as captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha did not exchange greetings at the toss during their T20 World Cup 2026 encounter in Colombo.

The absence of the handshake extended a policy India have followed in matches against Pakistan since the Asia Cup, across both men’s and women’s cricket.

Toss proceeds without customary gesture

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and opted to bowl first in the high-profile Group A fixture. The match itself had been confirmed only six days earlier after uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s participation was resolved.

While neither skipper addressed the handshake issue at the toss, the visual reaffirmed India’s unchanged position heading into the marquee clash.

Captains’ comments before the game

On the eve of the match, Suryakumar had declined to clarify whether the gesture would take place.

“Wait for 24 hours. We are here to play cricket. Have good food and sleep,” he said at the pre-match press conference.

In contrast, Agha suggested Pakistan were open to maintaining traditional cricketing courtesies.

“Cricket should be played in the right spirit. My personal opinion may not matter, but cricket should be played the way it has always been played. It’s up to them to decide what to do,” he had said ahead of the game.

Background: Asia Cup precedent

The issue first surfaced during the 2025 Asia Cup when Suryakumar declined to shake hands with the Pakistan captain. The move triggered debate and brief speculation over a potential boycott by Pakistan in the tournament, though matches ultimately proceeded as scheduled. The no-handshake approach remained in place in subsequent meetings.

Manjrekar calls policy ‘silly’

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar criticised the stance earlier on Sunday, describing it as unnecessary.

“This ‘no shaking hands’ is such a silly thing that India has started. It’s unbecoming of a nation like ours. Either play properly within the spirit of the game or don’t play at all,” Manjrekar wrote on social media platform X.

Sunday’s scenes in Colombo confirm that India’s position remains unchanged during the T20 World Cup 2026, despite ongoing debate over sportsmanship and cricketing tradition.