NEW DELHI: Be it the cricket field or any other sport, India's stance against Pakistan remains firm - as the Indian youth kabaddi team captain refused to shake hands with the Pakistani skipper during the Asian Youth Games on Monday.

In a video that went viral on social media, the Pakistan captain was seen offering a handshake at the toss, but Indian skipper Ishant Rathee showed no interest and instead shook hands only with the official.

The Indian kabaddi team dominated Pakistan with a commanding 81–26 win. Despite the tension surrounding the contest, players from both sides exchanged handshakes after the match, upholding the spirit of sportsmanship.

The trend of Indian players refusing to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts started with Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav snubbing handshakes during the Asia Cup 2025.

Throughout the tournament, Suryakumar and his teammates refrained from the customary post-match handshakes with Pakistani players. The controversy first erupted when Suryakumar ignored Salman Ali Agha's handshake offer at the toss in the opening group match, sparking outrage in Pakistan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board subsequently demanded action against match referee Andy Pycroft and even threatened to withdraw from the competition.

The Indian women's cricket team also followed the same stance during their encounters with Pakistan at the 2025 World Cup.

These actions on the sporting field reflect the broader strain in bilateral relations between the two nations, heightened by the recent Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 Indian lives and the subsequent Operation Sindoor.