India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, asked his players to shake hands with the match officials following their overwhelming Super 4 victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday, September 22.
In India’s previous match against Pakistan, the team ignored the usual handshakes during the toss and after the game. Captain Suryakumar Yadav noted that this was done in solidarity with the victims of the recent terror acts in Pahalgam, as well as to show support for the Indian military forces’ effective execution of Operation Sindoor.
During the live telecast of the Super 4 match, Gambhir was seen standing outside the boundary ropes, asking the players to greet the umpires after India defeated their next-door rivals once more.
On the field, India’s opening duo led the chase. Abhishek Sharma smashed 74 off 39 balls, including six boundaries and five sixes. Shubman Gill supported him with 47 off 28 balls, and they combined for a 105-run partnership that set the tone for India’s victorious chase of 172. The squad scored 100 in just 8.4 overs.
After the two openers left and Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed for a duck, Tilak Varma stayed unbeaten on 30 and Hardik Pandya hit 7 not out to lead India to a six-wicket victory. Earlier, Shivam Dube produced significant bowling breakthroughs, removing Sahibzada Farhan (58) and Saim Ayub (21) to end a 72-run second-wicket partnership that threatened India’s bowling preparations.
This was India’s second decisive victory over Pakistan in the competition, having defeated them by seven wickets in the group stage as well. While tensions on the field remained high, Gambhir’s command to meet with the umpires underlined his emphasis on discipline and professionalism, reminding players that respect for the officials is an essential element of the game.
