India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana once again avoided the customary pre-match handshake before their Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash, drawing attention ahead of one of cricket’s biggest rivalries.
The incident took place during the toss before the Group 1 encounter at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Harmanpreet won the toss and elected to bat first, but it was the brief interaction between the two captains that quickly became a talking point. As seen in recent India-Pakistan matches, the traditional handshake was skipped.
Familiar scene before high-profile clash
The absence of a handshake was not entirely unexpected. Similar scenes have been witnessed in recent meetings between Indian and Pakistani teams, with players from both sides avoiding the customary greeting before matches. The practice has become a recurring feature of India-Pakistan contests amid the broader political tensions between the neighbouring nations.
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Ahead of the match, Harmanpreet had downplayed the significance of the issue, saying the Indian team’s focus remained firmly on cricket and preparations for the tournament.
🚨 Harmanpreet Kaur massive statement about handshake with Pakistani team:
— Indian Cricket Ministry (@Tejashyyyyyy) June 13, 2026
Question - Is there any talk about a handshake? Is it going to happen? Is it the BCCI's call, your call, or whose call?
Harmanpreet Kaur - Well, I think we are here for cricket, and we only talk about… pic.twitter.com/1zqPGhcKwD
The captain stressed that the squad was concentrating on delivering a strong performance rather than discussing matters away from the game.
India make winning start
Once the action got underway, India produced a dominant display to begin their campaign on a positive note. A composed half-century from Smriti Mandhana helped India post a competitive total, setting the platform for the bowlers.
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Pakistan struggled to keep pace with the required run rate during the chase as India maintained control throughout the innings. The standout performer with the ball was Deepti Sharma, who claimed five wickets to dismantle Pakistan’s batting line-up.
India eventually secured a comfortable 64-run victory, earning two crucial points and strengthening their position in the group stage. While the handshake incident generated discussion before the first ball was bowled, India’s convincing performance ensured the focus returned to the cricket as they opened their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign in impressive fashion.
