India’s Handshake Refusal at Asia Cup 2025 Draws Criticism from Pakistan’s Coach Mike Hesson

Mike Hesson, the head coach of Pakistan, expressed his disappointment after India’s team declined the traditional post-match handshake following their Asia Cup 2025 match. The contest, played on September 14th, saw India triumph with a dominant seven-wicket win, successfully chasing a target of 128 runs. In the wake of India’s victory, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, instead of participating in the customary handshake, proceeded straight to the dressing room. This action left Pakistani players, including captain Salman Agha and coach Mike Hesson, waiting near the Indian team area, without any Indian players appearing to offer a handshake. Hesson, during the post-match press conference, revealed that the Pakistani team was prepared to engage in the handshake. He commented on India’s decision to avoid the gesture, stating, “Obviously, we were ready to shake hands at the end of the game. We were disappointed that our opposition didn’t do that. We went over there to shake hands, and they’d already gone into the changing room.” He further elaborated, “That was a disappointing way for the match to finish. We were disappointed in the way we played, but certainly were willing to go and shake hands.”