India’s 124-run win over Sri Lanka in the semifinal on Thursday set up the clash that becomes as much about off-field drama as the cricket on it. The build-up to the game once again will be dominated by elaborate discussions and on whether the two teams will shake hands. India will once again be confronted with the handshake question when they square off against bitter rivals Pakistan in the Asian Games final on Saturday and there are no clear answers on whether pleasantries will be exchanged in line with how athletes in other disciplines have done so far.
It remains to be seen if the Indian cricket team management sticks to status quo or there is a handshake with the Pakistan players after the game.
The Indian players have so far refused to shake hands with their Pakistan counterparts in the Asia Cup and ICC events since Operation Sindoor last year to show solidarity with the Indian armed forces.
For cricket, the call will be taken by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia after he reaches Nagoya for the final. Even ICC chairman Jay Shah is expected to attend the game. Handshake or not, India and Pakistan players will have to share the podium irrespective of what happens in the final, like the women’s team did after winning gold last week. The gold-winning women’s team did not play eventual bronze medallists Pakistan in the tournament but shared the podium with the players of that country. Sri Lanka finished runners-up to India in the women’s final.
