By Shaunak Ghosh
Copyright timesnownews
India brutally defeated Pakistan in their first encounter in the Asia Cup 2025 on September 14 (Sunday) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium by 7 runs. However, what surpassed the match was a controversy as Suryakumar Yadav and Team India refused to shake hands with Pakistan players after the match got over. n protest, Pakistan, too boycotted the post-match presentation ceremony as captain Salman Agha did not speak there, even though Suryakumar Yadav did. Now, India legend Sunil Gavaskar has taken a massive shot at the Pakistan captain for his gesture. In an interaction with India Today, Sunil Gavaskar said that sports and politics have never been separate, and he will not critcize Suryakumar Yadav for taking the stance of not handshaking. He also dismissed Pakistan captain Salman Agha’s stance of not attending the presenaton ceremony, saying that people mainly eanted to hear the winning captain and not excuses from Pakistan. “Sports and politics have never been separate – you only need to look back over the years to see that. I wouldn’t criticise someone for taking that stance, and I wouldn’t want to get into a debate about it. When you start discussing political references, you get into policies and complexities that are frankly beyond my pay grade,” Gavaskar said. “I don’t think it made much difference anyway – people mainly wanted to hear what the winning captain had to say, not excuses from the other side,” he added. ALSO READ: ICC Hands Major Blow To PCB, Mohsin Naqvi’s Boycott Threat After Handshake Saga Falls Flat “If Someone Has Been Calling You Names…” Sunil Gavaskar reiterated the fact that if someone has been calling you names, then there is no question of shaking hands. However, he admitted that he did not know what exactly happened on the field. “I didn’t actually see it myself, but ultimately it’s up to each individual what they want to do. On the field, there are times when people abuse you and say things that aren’t acceptable. If someone has been calling you names, asking that you go and shake hands with them is too much to expect,” Gavaskar said. I don’t know exactly what happened on the field or whether words were exchanged, but if an individual decides not to shake hands, they are perfectly within their rights to do so,” he added.
