(Web Desk): In the lead-up to the 2025 Asia Cup in Dubai, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has sparked controversy after shaking hands with Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi.

During the trophy unveiling ceremony on September 9, 2025, Suryakumar Yadav shook hands with Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister and PCB chairman.

The moment quickly went viral on social media, triggering a wave of criticism in India. Many users branded the gesture “shameful” and accused Yadav of disrespecting national pride given Naqvi’s history of strong rhetoric against India during recent bilateral tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent cross-border hostilities.

Cricket analysts argue that politics have long influenced Indo-Pak sporting events, but few incidents have sparked such intensity. This particular gesture is being seen by critics as symbolic of poor judgment on the international stage.

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Supporters of Yadav, including prominent journalists, contend that his handshake was a diplomatic and customary courtesy toward the ACC president, not necessarily a political statement — and that criticism of him is unwarranted.

With India set to face Pakistan on September 14, observers warn public sentiment in India may escalate dramatically if Pakistan wins, further politicizing the cricket rivalry.