Handshake controversies in cricket are more common than you think: Here are 3 more of such instances from recent history

The Asia Cup 2025 encounter between India and Pakistan has raged up a storm in the cricketing world. Not because of the cricket played on the night. But on the grounds of sportsmanship, or rather, a lack of sportsmanship on display that night. The handshake controversy after India chased down the target against Pakistan has been in the spotlight since the incident took place.

In an act of solidarity and gratitude to the Indian Army, the Indian contingent did not shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts after defeating them. This was an action taken to pay respect to the victims of the horrific Pahalgam Terror Attacks earlier this year, when 26 civilians were killed, followed by 5 soldiers being martyred during Operation Sindoor.

Also Read: Handshake row: Will Pakistan pull out of Asia Cup after ICC snub?

And it might make you think that this doesn't happen often in the gentleman's game. But you would be wrong to think so.

So here are 3 more instances from recent history when players did not shake hands after the match had finished, and what made them do so.

1. The Lamichhane boycott (Feb 2023)

After a match in Kirtipur in February 2023 between Scotland and Nepal, the Scottish players shook hands with every Nepal player except Sandeep Lamichhane. This was an unmistakable act of unspoken protest by the Scots against Lamichhane, who was playing while out on bail in a sexual coercion case. This gesture back then sparked controversy on whether players who are indicted with serious criminal charges should be allowed to play.

2. Kohli ignores Ganguly (April 2023)

The IPL encounter between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Delhi Capitals in April 2023 will be infamously remembered for the moment that happened between Virat Kohli and Sourav Ganguly. After the match, when the players of either side were shaking each other's hands, the RCB skipper walked past Sourav Ganguly without so much as acknowledging DC's Director. The clip went viral, and fans were quick to tie this incident with the ending of Kohli's captaincy reign of the national team that happened under Sourav Ganguly's BCCI presidency.

3. When handshakes got "Timed Out" (November 2023)

When Angelo Mathews was given "timed out" due to an issue with the strap of his helmet, and the Bangladeshi players appealed, it didn't sit right with the Sri Lankans. And they made their thoughts clear with no one from the Sri Lankan camp shaking hands with their opponents after the match during the 2023 ODI World Cup. This was an instance where the laws of the game went against the spirit of the game.