India vs Pakistan rivalry in cricket has always been a high-voltage encounter. But due to diplomatic reasons, the customary handshakes between the two teams have stopped. Now, former India National Cricket Team captain Kapil Dev has shared his insights on the no-handshake stance taken by the two teams across all age groups and in women’s cricket as well.
Recently, the India Women’s National Cricket Team won the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, beating Sri Lanka in the final by 72 runs, and after that Harmanpreet Kaur’s side refused to take the trophy from the hands of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president <a href="https://cricket.international/indian-cricketers-expected-to-accept-asian-games-medals-from-mohsin-naqvi-if-oca-delegates-role/” title=”Indian cricketers expected to accept Asian Games medals from Mohsin Naqvi if OCA delegates role”>Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), due to a strained relationship between the two countries.
“Players will go by what the government says”: Kapil Dev on India-Pakistan no-handshake policy
The 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev broke his silence on the no-handshake policy. He stated that if the Government of India has decided on no handshake with the Pakistan cricketer, then the players have to follow the protocol, as they do not have much say in this matter and will have to go by what the government says.
“If the government has taken a decision not to shake hands with Pakistani players, then the players have no choice. In such matters, players will go by what the government says,” Kapil Dev told India Today.
Why have India and Pakistan stopped customary handshakes?
The incident started back in Asia Cup 2025, when India National Cricket Team captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands with his Pakistan counterpart Salman Ali Agha to showcase solidarity on the Pahalgam terror attack, where several Indian citizens were killed. This went on till the final of the tournament, and the Men in Blue refused to collect the trophy from Naqvi.
After that, the no-handshake policy extended from the men’s team to Women’s Cricket and U-19 cricket as well. During India and Pakistan’s match at the Women’s ODI World Cup in October 2025, Harmanpreet Kaur and her teammates avoided the usual post-match handshake. Similar things happened in other age-group championships and the 2026 T20 World Cups.
Mohsin Naqvi set to be removed from ACC role
India refused back in 2025 to receive the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi; the trophy was taken away by the ACC president. Similarly, in 2026, there was also no post-match trophy presentation and celebration for Harmanpreet Kaur’s side, as they also refused it, and Naqvi took away the trophy with him, as the women cricketers celebrated without the trophy and medals.
Following the chaotic incidents in the Asia Cup 2025 and then in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, the BCCI has not taken any action because there have been reports that Mohsin Naqvi, whose tenure is set to end in April 2027, will not get another term, as the ACC board members might vote against him in the forthcoming term.
Kapil Dev breaks silence on Imran Khan’s mistreatment in Pakistan
Kapil Dev also spoke about the deteriorating health and the mistreatment of Pakistan’s former captain Imran Khan in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, as he believes that Imran Khan should be provided with basic treatment.
“Imran Khan deserves humane treatment. That is our basic demand,” Kapil Dev said.
Source: cricketaddictor.com
