Ice on the Pitch: India Dominates Pakistan Amidst Handshake Snub

Editing By Suresh Jajam

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The fiercest rivalry in cricket took on a literal chill yesterday in Colombo (February 15, 2026). As the T20 World Cup group stage reached a fever pitch, the headlines were stolen before a single ball was bowled: India and Pakistan skipped the traditional pre-match handshake.

The Toss: Pakistan Opts to Chase

Pakistan’s captain, Salman Ali Agha, won the toss and elected to field first. The decision was purely tactical, aimed at exploiting the moisture of the R. Premadasa Stadium pitch. However, the tactical talk was overshadowed by the stiff, distant body language between the two captains at the center.

The “No-Handshake” Protocol

The absence of the handshake isn’t a lapse in etiquette, but a calculated BCCI policy that has been in place since mid-2025.

• The Catalyst: The policy was born out of solidarity following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent military tensions (Operation Sindoor).
• The Precedent: India has consistently maintained this “strictly professional” stance across all formats and divisions (including Women’s and U-19 teams) to signal that sport cannot be entirely separated from geopolitical reality.

Match Summary: India Claims the Night

Despite Pakistan’s attempt to use the conditions to their advantage, India proved too clinical on the field.

Category	India (Batting First)	Pakistan (Chasing)
Total Score	175/7	114 All Out
Top Performer	Ishan Kishan (77 off 40)	U.Khan (44 off 34)
Key Bowler	Jasprit Bumrah (2/17)	Shaheen Afridi (1/31)

Result: India won by 61 runs, securing their ticket to the Super 8s.

Divided Opinions

The “cold shoulder” at the toss has polarized the cricketing community:

• Critics: Figures like Sanjay Manjrekar have labeled the move “unbecoming,” suggesting that if teams are willing to share a pitch, they should be willing to share a handshake.
• Supporters: Many, including former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali, have defended the move, arguing that forced pleasantries are unnecessary and that the intensity of the rivalry is better served by this “war on the grass” mentality.