Saturday, March 29, 2025
New Delhi, Sept 25 (2025) – Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has weighed in on the recent controversy following the India–Pakistan T20 Asia Cup clash, urging that sportsmanship must remain above politics and military conflicts.
The debate erupted when Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and teammate Shivam Dube walked off the field without shaking hands with Pakistani players. The gesture was widely criticized and sparked discussions about whether politics is overshadowing sports.
Speaking to ANI, Tharoor said:
“If we had such deep objections to playing Pakistan, then we should not have played at all. But once we decide to play, we must play in the spirit of the game and extend a hand of sportsmanship.”
He recalled the 1999 Cricket World Cup in Manchester, which took place during the Kargil War. Despite soldiers dying on the front lines, Indian and Pakistani players shook hands after the match. Tharoor described that as an example of “courage and maturity.”
Tharoor criticized both teams for lacking sportsmanship, saying:
“If Pakistanis felt slighted once and repeated the gesture in return, it only reflects a lack of sporting spirit on both sides.”
In a column for the Indian Express, Tharoor argued that Indo-Pak cricket often becomes a symbol of nationalism and political tension, but players bear a responsibility to uphold the traditions of the game.
“Refusing a handshake is not a sign of strength but of insecurity. True strength lies in respecting your opponent,” he said, warning against conflating the fight against terrorism with an entire nation.
Tharoor emphasized that India must distinguish between non-state actors and ordinary Pakistanis.
“Treating an entire country as the enemy is not only an intellectual mistake, but also a strategic one,” he noted.
He urged India to pursue policies that encourage peace and moderation within Pakistan, thereby weakening extremist ideologies. According to him, as a confident democracy and emerging global power, India’s conduct should reflect self-assurance, not hostility.
This match was the first India–Pakistan encounter since the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent launch of the Indian Army’s Operation Sindoor. Many questioned whether India should have played under such circumstances.
After India’s victory, captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the win to the Indian armed forces and expressed solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam attack. The triumph also secured India’s place in the Asia Cup final.
