No handshake: Indian cricket team makes a strong statement

THE shadow of the Pahalgam terror attack loomed large over the India-Pakistan cricket clash in Dubai on Sunday, with the Indian team led by Suryakumar Yadav refusing the customary handshake with the rival side after its emphatic victory. The bitterness was palpable even before the match began as Yadav and Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha neither shook hands nor made eye contact during the toss. They also handed over their respective team sheets to the match referee rather than to each other. And Yadav delivered a no-holds-barred political punch after the match when he expressed solidarity with the Pahalgam victims and dedicated the win to the armed forces which took part in Operation Sindoor.