Asia Cup 2025: Viral video of India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan skipper Salman Agha fuels handshake controversy

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The excitement for the Asia Cup 2025 reached new heights on September 9, when the captains of all eight participating teams attended the official pre-tournament press conference in Dubai. Representing their nations were Suryakumar Yadav (India), Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Litton Das (Bangladesh), Yasim Murtuza (Hong Kong), Jatinder Singh (Oman), Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka) and Muhammad Waseem (UAE).

As expected, much of the spotlight was on the skippers of India and Pakistan, with both sides entering the tournament as favorites and their much-anticipated clash already dominating headlines.

Once the Q&A session wrapped up, a minor moment sparked a buzz across social media. Pakistan captain Salman Agha was seen leaving the stage directly, without waiting for the customary handshakes or embraces usually exchanged among captains at such events.

Meanwhile, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav was spotted warmly greeting other skippers, including Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, before stepping down from the stage. The absence of an initial handshake between the India and Pakistan captains quickly triggered debate online, with fans speculating about tension between the two rivals.

However, a later video clip helped cool down the speculation. The footage showed Salman pausing near the podium after realizing the skipped gesture. He was seen shaking hands with Suryakumar before heading toward the exit, also exchanging handshakes with other skippers.

Indian Captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan Captain Salman Agha..(This video is for those saying that the Pakistan captain wasn't sitting next to the Indian players and they didn’t even shake hands)

— Sporttify (@sporttify) September 9, 2025

This sequence suggested that the incident may have been less about rivalry and more about timing and oversight during a high-profile, fast-moving event.

The timing of this viral moment adds extra intrigue to the upcoming India vs Pakistan match on September 14 in Dubai, which is set to be one of the most anticipated encounters of the tournament. With both teams considered top contenders for the Asia Cup 2025 crown, emotions and excitement are already running high.

India will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, who continues to grow as a leader after stepping into the captaincy role, while Pakistan’s Salman Agha shoulders the responsibility of guiding a relatively young side against their fiercest rivals.

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While some fans viewed the brief handshake delay as a reflection of the heated rivalry, others dismissed it as an overblown controversy. Cricket followers on platforms like Twitter and Instagram shared contrasting opinions, with many highlighting how both captains did eventually share a sporting handshake before leaving the venue.

The viral video may have briefly fuelled controversy, but ultimately it showcased the magnified scrutiny that accompanies every India-Pakistan interaction in world cricket. As both teams prepare for their high-voltage clash in Dubai, the focus will now shift from press conference optics to performance on the field – where the real contest will unfold.

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