India’s cricket team management has reportedly instructed players not to interact with Pakistani net bowlers during practice sessions at the ICC Academy.
This directive follows the recent handshake controversy during the Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan, where players from both teams skipped the traditional handshake after the game. This move was widely criticized, being seen as against the true spirit of sportsmanship.
While Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav did shake hands with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi during the trophy presentation, the incident left lingering questions.
To further prevent any misunderstandings, Indian team management has implemented a strict new rule at training. Pakistani net bowlers, who usually assist teams during practice, are now prohibited from casually interacting with Indian players.
To ensure compliance, net bowlers are required to hand over their mobile phones before practice sessions. This move is reportedly aimed at tightening control over communication and limiting interactions between players.
This decision has sparked debate within the cricket community. Some view it as a precautionary measure to avoid further controversy, while others believe it undermines the core values of cricket—mutual respect and collaboration.
With the Asia Cup already surrounded by off-field drama, this new directive has intensified the long-standing rivalry between India and Pakistan, heightening tensions on and off the field.
