- By Namrata Vijay
- Wed, 05 Nov 2025 02:53 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Hockey India has revealed that they won't be stopping their players from shaking hands with arch-rival Pakistan in their next international match. In the Sultan of Johor Cup, which was held in Malaysia, a controversy occurred when both India and Pakistan players were seen shaking hands before their game. It surprised a lot of people as both men's and women's cricket teams didn't shake hands in the Asia Cup 2025 and the women's World Cup 2025. But Hockey India has revealed that they will be respecting the values and the rules.
“We are not governed by cricket. Whatever the cricketers did, it was their choice. We follow the Olympic Charter and what FIH says. There are no such instructions to avoid handshakes or high-fives from HI,” Bhola Nath Singh, who is the secretary of Hockey India, was quoted as saying to the Times of India.
They also revealed that they never told players not to shake hands with Pakistani players and that there will be no new rules issued in the future for the same.
“In future meetings with Pakistan, HI will not give any directions to its players. We will play and look to win,” he said.
A no-handshake controversy happened in the Asia Cup 2025. India skipper Suyakumar Yadav didn't shake hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha, and post the games, the Men in Blue didn't shake hands at all with their arch-rivals.
This resulted in PCB protesting, where they also threatened to boycott a group stage game, but none of this really happened.
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side also followed the same stance in their Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 match against Pakistan, where Harmanpreet didn't shake hands with the Pakistan captain.