'Eat well and go to sleep': Suryakumar Yadav, Salman Ali Agha play 'waiting' game over handshake
Times of India
by TOI SPORTS DESKFebruary 14, 2026
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Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha, captains of India and Pakistan respectively, avoided confirming whether their teams would shake hands before or after the highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash. Both deferred the decision, with Suryakumar humorously advising everyone to "eat well and go to sleep" while emphasizing that cricket should be played first. Agha echoed a similar sentiment, stating, "We will see about it tomorrow," and highlighting the importance of playing the game in the right spirit.
The handshake issue has gained significance due to past tensions between the two nations, including events like the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. India had previously refrained from shaking hands with Pakistan during the Asia Cup, which ended on September 28 in Dubai. The decision to avoid handshakes has often been seen as a political statement, reflecting broader diplomatic relations between the two countries.
During their press conferences, both captains focused on the cricket itself rather than external distractions. Suryakumar downplayed the importance of the handshake, stating, "Why put so much focus on that? We have come to play cricket." Agha, while acknowledging the spirit of the game, deferred the decision to his team, saying, "It’s up to them to decide what to do."
The T20 World Cup clash in Colombo is a pivotal moment in the tournament, with both India and Pakistan holding strong records so far. India has won all three matches against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, while Pakistan has managed only one win in their eight T20 World Cup encounters. The match
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/14/2026