India’s six-wicket win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash at Dubai may have looked routine on the scorecard, but the real drama came after the final ball. Head coach Gautam Gambhir was spotted issuing a pointed instruction to his players, urging them, “Are umpire se to mil le” — asking that they at least greet the match officials. The moment was captured on camera and quickly went viral across social media platforms.
This came in the backdrop of India’s firm refusal to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, marking the second such instance within a week. As soon as Tilak Varma struck the winning boundary to seal the chase at 174/4, the Indian batters made their way straight back to the dressing room, deliberately avoiding any physical exchanges with the opposition.
However, Gambhir’s intervention soon saw some players return to the field. They shook hands with the on-field umpires and match referee Andy Pycroft, reflecting that while the team stood strong in protest against Pakistan, they maintained due respect for the officials responsible for conducting the game.
Umpire se toh mil le 😭😭😂😂 pic.twitter.com/w0FfGoMS3M
— Yo Yo Funny Singh (@moronhumor) September 22, 2025
Interestingly, the boycott extended beyond the final whistle. Even at the toss, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav refrained from shaking hands with Pakistan captain Salman Agha. Instead, he turned directly to commentator Ravi Shastri and match referee Pycroft, bypassing the traditional exchange with his counterpart.
The decision has now become one of the defining storylines of this Asia Cup. For India, the stance underscored solidarity in the wake of recent tensions, while Gambhir’s subtle reminder ensured the fine line between protest and disrespect was not crossed. The balance between political messaging and sportsmanship remains at the heart of the tournament’s narrative.