Cricket is always referred to as the gentleman’s game – a game based on grace, on respect for one another, and on the age-old custom of shaking hands after fighting. But there are times when things get too emotional, rivalries get too personal, or higher principles are involved. And when that occurs, even the humble act of a handshake turns into a political and emotional gesture.
From India and Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 standoff to Scotland’s mute protest against Sandeep Lamichhane, the cricket pitch has sometimes become a theatre of national pride, personal vendettas, and moral positions.
Here are four of those very notorious no-handshake moments that caused headlines and rattled cricket’s traditional spirit.
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India vs Pakistan – Asia Cup 2025 (Dubai)
In a closely fought high-voltage Asia Cup match, India’s victory over Pakistan was overshadowed by what happened after the match. Captain Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube left the field directly, not shaking hands with Pakistani players. Captains had even skipped the traditional handshake at the toss before the match.
India’s move was later attributed to the Pahalgam terror attack carried out in April 2025. Suryakumar openly declared, “We stand by the victims and dedicate this win to our armed forces who showed immense bravery.”
The action evoked outrage, with the Pakistan Cricket Board filing complaints to the ACC and ICC, and threatening to pull out from the tournament.
Scotland Boycotts Sandeep Lamichhane – Nepal Series 2023
In Kirtipur, Scotland’s players made the headlines with a silent protest. Post their match against Nepal, they shook hands with all the players except Sandeep Lamichhane, who was out on bail in a sexual coercion case of a minor.
Earlier, Namibia too had not shaken hands with Lamichhane, but instead did a fist bump.
Scotland’s move reopened the big debate in global cricket – should there be a place for players under serious legal indictment on the pitch?
Virat Kohli Disregards Sourav Ganguly – IPL 2023
Two of Indian cricket’s biggest stars, Virat Kohli and Sourav Ganguly, were caught sharing an awkward moment following an RCB vs DC IPL 2023 encounter. Cameras picked up Kohli purposefully ignoring Ganguly during the post-match handshake.
The snub was widely interpreted as fallout from Kohli’s removal as India’s captain – a decision made during Ganguly’s time as BCCI President.
The clip went viral, sparking debates about egos, respect, and unresolved tensions in Indian cricket’s corridors of power.
Sri Lanka Refuses Handshakes – World Cup 2023 vs Bangladesh
Temper raged in the 2023 ODI World Cup as Sri Lanka declined to shake hands with Bangladesh after a furious three-wicket loss.
The tensions were caused by a disputed ‘timed out’ dismissal of Angelo Mathews, the first player in international cricket to be declared out under this provision. A snapped helmet strap caused a delay in his readiness, but Bangladesh lodged an appeal and Mathews was sent out.
Despite his resolute return to the ball, Sri Lanka’s ire was obvious as they departed without the usual handshake, provoking controversy throughout the cricket world.
These are moments to remember that cricket is not just all about scores and statistics. It’s a depiction of underlying human sentiments – pride, protest, fury, and at times, personal hurt. When players snub a handshake, it is seldom due to poor etiquette – it is about making a point.
Whatever it is national pride, personal grievance, or a moral stance – these events invite us to peer over the border to learn the stories behind the silence, and the burden carried by a gesture kept back.
