The Indian hockey team and Pakistani players exchanged handshakes at the end of their FIH Pro League matches in London, setting aside past tensions. This gesture marked a departure from the recent trend seen in cricket matches between the two nations. Traditionally, hockey players from both sides shake hands before and after matches as a sign of sportsmanship.
Suryakumar Yadav’s cricket team had previously refrained from shaking hands with Pakistani players during the Asia Cup T20 tournament in 2025. This move was in solidarity with the victims of the Pahhelgam terror attack and the Indian armed forces. The decision garnered global attention, with other Indian teams also adopting a similar stance.
In sports, shaking hands or greeting opponents is a common courtesy that symbolizes the spirit of sportsmanship. While the cricket teams have upheld a ‘no handshake policy’ with Pakistan, the Indian men’s hockey team has chosen to embrace this traditional gesture. The positive reaction on social media to the hockey players’ sportsmanship is expected to spark further discussions and reactions across both countries.
