The India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 match is still a few hours away, but the intensity is already catching on.
Ever since the horrific terrorist attack in India’s Pahalgam region, Indian cricketers have refused any customary handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts.
Notably, former Indian cricketer, Sanjay Manjrekar, isn’t fond of the policy, having recently voiced his opinion against it on X (formerly Twitter). Here’s what he said:
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.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 15, 2026
“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.“
Not too long afterwards, Ajay Jadeja, another former Indian cricketer, fired back with a stern reply on the platform.
Ajay Jadeja Backs India’s No-Handshake Policy
Sanjay, now show me one current indian cricketer who mocked Pakistan during operation sindhoor. You won’t find any, that’s the difference and shaking hands is not mandatory https://t.co/oyvrVU0pcd pic.twitter.com/AaEzWeqyva
— Ajay Jadeja (@AjayJadeja171) February 15, 2026
Ajay Jadeja tweeted a screenshot of Pakistani player, Faheem Ashraf’s Instagram story mocking India and victims of the terror attack, which he had uploaded around the time of Operation Sindoor.
Jadeja backed the no-handshake policy, stating this:
“Sanjay, now show me one current indian cricketer who mocked Pakistan during operation sindhoor. You won’t find any, that’s the difference and shaking hands is not mandatory“
A recent report by The Indian Express has claimed that there will be no handshake between Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha after the toss of tonight’s India vs Pakistan match.
This, if true, would align with the approach followed in IND vs PAK encounters since the Men’s Asia Cup 2025.
