‘Unbecoming of a nation like ours’: Sanjay Manjrekar minces no words on India’s ‘silly’ handshake policy vs Pakistan – The Times of India

Suryakumar Yadav, Salman Ali Agha. (File photo)

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised India’s no-handshake policy against Pakistan, calling it “silly” and saying it does not reflect well on a major cricketing nation.India have followed a no-handshake policy against Pakistan since the Asia Cup 2025 in both men’s and women’s cricket. With the two teams set to meet in the T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday, Manjrekar said India should either follow the spirit of the game and shake hands or avoid playing Pakistan altogether.

“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 his X account.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav did not confirm whether he would shake hands with Pakistan players before or after the match in Colombo. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, he said, “Wait for 24 hours. We are here to play cricket. Have good food and sleep.”Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said the game should be played in the right manner and indicated his team was open to the usual gesture. “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,” Agha said.During the Asia Cup, Suryakumar had declined to shake hands with the Pakistan captain, which led to a reaction from Pakistan. They briefly considered boycotting their next fixture in the tournament before deciding to continue. The no-handshake policy remained in place for the next two matches between the teams.It is not yet clear what decision the India captain will take in Sunday’s match.