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After sealing the victory with a six, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav walked to the dugout without any customary handshake with the Pakistani players
Pahalgam victim Lt. Vinay Narwal’s father Rajesh Narwal | File Image
The father of Navy officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, praised India cricket team for dedicating their match victory to the victims, saying the message to Pakistan was delivered without boycotting the match.
India, under stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav, chased down Pakistan’s modest 128-run target in 15.5 overs to claim a comfortable seven-wicket win on Sunday.
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“India sent a clear message without boycotting the game or the tournament; Pakistan should be boycotted, not the match or Asia Cup,” said Rajesh Narwal in an exclusive interview with CNN-News18.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha skips post-match presentation after India’s handshake snub a #AsiaCup2025. Here’s a look at what all unfolded during the big clash“India sent a clear message without boycotting the game or the tournament; Pakistan should be boycotted, not the… pic.twitter.com/o5Y1FX1atR
— News18 (@CNNnews18) September 15, 2025
“There should be a boycott of Pakistan and not the tournament. So that a message goes to the people of Pakistan, that due to some people, the whole country suffers on the global stage. Anyhow, we tried; the boycott campaign was huge. But the game was played, and Suryakumar wore a red band to express loss of lives in the Pahalgam terror attack,” he added.
He added that Suryakumar dedicated the victory to the Pahalgam victims, a gesture he welcomed and respected, and reiterated that his opposition was not to the game itself but to the inclusion of the Pakistan team in the tournament.
On India’s cricket team reportedly snubbing the handshake with Pakistan players after the match, Narwal said, “The message that should have been given to Pakistan was delivered by Suryakumar Ji, the son of India.”
Narwal’s comments highlight the continuing sentiment in parts of the country regarding sporting engagements with Pakistan, particularly in light of cross-border terrorism incidents.
Earlier, skipper Suryakumar Yadav said that the entire team stands by the victims of the families of the Pahalgam terror attack.
“We express our solidarity. We want to dedicate today’s win to all our Armed Forces who showed a lot of bravery. Hope they continue to inspire us all and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to make them smile,” he said.
The match went ahead despite calls for a boycott amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack in April and India’s subsequent ‘Operation Sindoor’ against terrorist bases across the border in May.
India’s ‘Handshake’ Snub
Twenty-six tourists had been killed in the attack, and in this context, handshakes with the Pakistani team were considered inappropriate by the Indian side.
After sealing the victory with a six, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav walked to the dugout without acknowledging the opposition players.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and his teammates lined up for the customary handshake, but no Indian players responded.
Suryakumar later told PTI that the team had collectively decided not to engage, saying, “We had come only to play… Some things are beyond sportsmanship. We dedicate this victory to our armed forces who took part in ‘Operation Sindoor’ and stand with families of the Pahalgam terror attack victims.”
The tension was mirrored on the Pakistani side, with Salman skipping the post-match presentation. Coach Mike Hesson acknowledged the bitterness, stating that while they had intended to shake hands, the opposition’s reaction influenced their decision.
The strained relations were evident even before the game, as Suryakumar and Salman refused the customary handshake and avoided eye contact during the toss, drawing attention from the cricket community.
About the Author
Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be…Read More
Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be… Read More
September 15, 2025, 11:32 IST
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