Dubai — On a charged evening under Asia Cup lights, India crushed Pakistan by seven wickets in a dominant performance that had fans cheering, hearts racing, but also left many uneasy. Beyond the boundaries and wickets, it was what didn’t happen that’s now echoing loudly: every player on the Indian side refused the customary handshakes at the toss and after the match, walking off without the usual camaraderie.
With spinners Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy weaving magic, Pakistan was bundled out for a modest 127-9. India’s chase was clinical: Abhishek Sharma stunned early on, the skipper Suryakumar Yadav stood tall with a breezy unbeaten 47 off 37 balls, and Tilak Varma lent stability. India wrapped up the target with dozens of balls to spare — but instead of celebration, there was silence when it came to the ritual acknowledgments.
It wasn’t just the fans who noticed. Pakistan players stood waiting. Captains exchanged looks at the toss but no handshake. After the win, while Indian players embraced among themselves, they kept distance from the opponents. Suryakumar later said it was more than sport today. “Some things are above sportsmanship,” he said, explaining that the decision aligned with mandates from the board and government, given recent events between the two nations.
The crowd — many waving flags, many singing, many tense — realized this match wasn’t just about cricket. It was about protest, pride, politics. And a reminder that in arenas where sport meets sentiment, even victory can carry a heavy weight.
