The BCCI has decided that the Indian women’s cricket team — the Women in Blue — will not shake hands with their Pakistani opponents in their upcoming ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 match in Colombo on October 5.
This “no-handshake policy” is not new; it was earlier followed by the men’s team during the Asia Cup. The move comes in the backdrop of rising political tension, especially after the Pahalgam terror attack and the continuing strain in India-Pakistan relations.
Instead of handshakes, the team will stick to simple gestures of respect on the field, while keeping the focus firmly on the game according to PTI.
No Handshake Policy for India vs Pakistan Clash
The Indian women’s cricket team, known as the Women in Blue, will not take part in the traditional handshake with Pakistan players before, during, or after their ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 match in Colombo on October 5.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the players of this decision before they left for Sri Lanka. The directive is in line with the Indian government’s policy on relations with Pakistan, especially after the recent Pahalgam terror attack and continuing diplomatic tensions.
As part of this stance, there will be no photo sessions with the match referee, no handshake at the toss, and none after the game ends.
India to Skip Handshakes with Pakistan
The Indian women’s cricket team — the Women in Blue — will not take part in the usual handshake with Pakistan players during their ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 clash in Colombo on October 5.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed the players about this policy before their departure for Sri Lanka, stressing that it aligns with the Indian government’s stand on relations with Pakistan. The move comes after the Pahalgam terror attack and ongoing diplomatic tensions.
Under this directive, there will be no photo sessions with the match referee, no handshakes at the toss, and none after the game ends. While the BCCI has confirmed that all ICC rules and MCC protocols will be followed, it has made no commitment about on-field pleasantries.
This is not the first time such a step has been taken. Earlier, the Indian men’s team also avoided handshakes with Pakistan players during the Asia Cup. Although the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) complained at that time, no action was taken, as handshakes are not an ICC requirement.
Reactions to the decision have been mixed. Some fans and experts support the move, citing security concerns and the political climate. Others feel it unnecessarily mixes politics with sport, pointing out that in past tournaments, Indian and Pakistani cricketers often shared warm moments and friendly gestures off the field.
As the high-voltage encounter approaches, all eyes will now be on how the teams handle the tension — both on and off the pitch.
Impacts on Players and Tournament
The Indian women’s team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, has said they want to stay focused only on cricket and not get caught up in issues outside the game.
Pakistan’s captain, Fatima Sana, also shared that her team will treat the India match like any other, without letting political tensions add extra pressure.