BCCI Secretary Confirms No Change on India Women’s Handshake Stance With Pakistan

Speculation around whether India Women would engage in the customary post-match handshake with Pakistan was addressed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who confirmed that “there’s no change in last week,” indicating that the board’s earlier stance remains firmly in place. The issue, which has drawn significant attention in the lead-up to their encounter, reflects the ongoing tension between the two boards and the political undertones that often extend into cricketing exchanges between the neighbouring nations. While both teams are expected to compete fiercely on the field, the absence of a handshake underscores the strained relationship that persists off it, with administrators prioritising broader considerations over sporting traditions. For India’s players, the focus remains on the game itself, but the narrative surrounding the handshake has added an extra layer of intrigue and scrutiny to a contest that already carries immense weight. Pakistan, meanwhile, have maintained their readiness to uphold the tradition, leaving the onus on India’s board and players. With Shah’s reaffirmation, it now appears likely that this symbolic gesture will again be avoided, reinforcing the idea that even the smallest rituals in an India-Pakistan clash are not immune from the political context in which the game is played.

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