India, Pakistan players 'talking behind closed doors': England legend amid handshake row
Times of India
by TOI SPORTS DESKFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
India and Pakistan’s cricketing rivalry has taken an unexpected turn as Indian players have refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts post-matches, sparking a heated debate. This move, initiated by India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav during last year’s Asia Cup, was linked to showing respect for the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and support for the Indian Army following Operation Sindoor. While some former international players criticized the decision, many Indian cricketers and fans defended it, arguing that cricket should remain apolitical.
The issue resurfaced during the T20 World Cup, where captains once again skipped handshakes, reigniting discussions about the appropriateness of such gestures in sports. Former England players, including Phil Tufnell, Michael Vaughan, and Alastair Cook, weighed in on a podcast. Tufnell suggested that Pakistan is currently no match for India’s strength, while Vaughan commented that Pakistan appears intimidated when facing India on the field. However, Cook offered a different perspective, questioning whether the tension was genuine or merely for public consumption.
Cook’s observation that players might be “talking behind closed doors” despite not shaking hands added another layer to the discussion. This implied that while there may be no overt hostility during matches, private communication could still occur off the field. The broader implications of this standoff highlight how sports can sometimes reflect underlying political and cultural tensions between nations. For readers interested in both cricket and international relations, this story underscores the intersection of sport and diplomacy, making it a compelling topic for global audiences.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/20/2026