India vs Pakistan: Why Harmanpreet Kaur's Team Avoided Handshakes at Women's T20 World Cup 2026

June 14, 2026: The high-voltage ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 opener between India and Pakistan at Lord's was always expected to draw global attention. While the on-field battle between the two arch-rivals produced plenty of drama, it was an off-field protocol that also caught the eye of fans and observers around the world. Continuing a policy that has been in place for more than nine months, the Indian women's cricket team did not participate in the traditional pre-match or post-match handshakes with the Pakistani players.

The move was not a spontaneous decision taken on match day. Instead, it was part of a broader directive issued by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which has been followed across various Indian cricket teams. The policy ensures that interactions between Indian and Pakistani players remain limited to the game itself, while avoiding customary gestures such as handshakes. Indian teams have instead opted for respectful acknowledgements, including the traditional "Namaste" gesture, whenever the two nations meet in international competitions.

A Policy That Has Been Followed for More Than Nine Months

The no-handshake protocol was first introduced during a men's multi-nation tournament last year amid ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan. Since then, the directive has been consistently followed across all levels of Indian cricket. Whether it has been senior men's ICC events, Under-19 World Cups, or developmental tournaments, Indian teams have maintained the same approach whenever they have faced Pakistan.

The Women's T20 World Cup clash at Lord's demonstrated that the BCCI has no plans to alter its stance. Throughout the tournament and in previous meetings between the two countries, Indian players have followed the established protocol while maintaining professionalism and respect on the field. The policy has become a standard practice whenever the two cricketing rivals meet on the international stage.

The scenes at Lord's also reflected the comments made by India captain Harmanpreet Kaur ahead of the much-anticipated encounter. During the pre-match press conference, Kaur was asked about the team's approach to off-field interactions with Pakistan. The experienced skipper chose to keep the focus firmly on cricket and avoided being drawn into discussions beyond the sport.

As expected, No handshake between Harmanpreet Kaur & Fatima Sana.pic.twitter.com/jHaNzheimg

— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) June 14, 2026

"Well, I think we are here for cricket, and we only talk about cricket. Except for cricket, we don't talk about anything, and I don't even think about anything except cricket," Harmanpreet said.

Her response underlined the team's intention to concentrate solely on the tournament and their performances on the field. By replacing handshakes with polite nods and respectful acknowledgements, the Indian players followed the board's guidelines without displaying any hostility or unsporting behaviour.

The continuation of the no-handshake policy also serves as a reminder of the current state of cricketing relations between India and Pakistan. Bilateral series between the two nations remain off the calendar, while participation in multi-nation events continues to be managed under specific arrangements. As a result, ICC tournaments remain one of the few platforms where the two sides regularly face each other, ensuring that every meeting attracts significant attention both on and off the field.