IND vs PAK toss drama: Suryakumar Yadav refuses handshake with Pakistan captain Salman Agha

The much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 clash between India and Pakistan was already played under a cloud of controversy and the toss only added fuel to the fire. Fans on social media are buzzing after India skipper Suryakumar Yadav refused a customary handshake with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, creating fresh drama before a ball was even bowled.

No Handshake, No Eye Contact

As Ravi Shastri introduced the two captains at the toss, Agha won and opted to bat first. What followed stunned viewers — Suryakumar deliberately avoided extending his hand, while Agha also showed no initiative. There was no eye contact, just a cold exchange of team sheets before both men walked away.

Decision Taken Beforehand

According to reports, Suryakumar had already made up his mind earlier in the day. He informed his teammates he would not shake hands with Agha, leaving it up to the others to decide individually. The move comes amid growing anger in India over the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, with boycott calls dominating public sentiment.

Political Backdrop & Rising Tensions

Adding fuel to the rivalry, Pakistan’s Faheem Ashraf had earlier mocked Operation Sindoor and is part of the Asia Cup squad. Indian assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate admitted the team is aware of the emotions back home, though head coach Gautam Gambhir urged players to “focus on cricket and ignore the noise.”

The Handshake Saga Continues

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the two captains have made headlines. Earlier in the week, Agha was accused of snubbing Suryakumar at the captains’ press conference — though he later returned for a brief handshake. With tensions simmering, fans now wonder if the off-field frost will spill over into the middle.