🤝 Suryakumar Yadav Faces Backlash Over Handshake with Mohsin Naqvi | Asia Cup 2025 Controversy
The Asia Cup 2025 is already making headlines — not for an incredible six or a stunning wicket, but for a handshake that has divided cricket fans across borders.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav is at the center of a storm after shaking hands with Mohsin Naqvi, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister.
The incident took place after the Asia Cup 2025 captains’ conference in Dubai, just days before the start of the tournament. While intended as a formal gesture of respect, the handshake sparked massive backlash on social media and in the Indian press.
In this blog, we’ll break down:
- 📰 What exactly happened at the Asia Cup 2025 captains’ conference
- 🔥 Why the handshake has triggered strong reactions
- 🇮🇳 Indian media and fans’ outrage explained
- 🏏 Suryakumar Yadav’s role as India’s captain and his response
- 🏆 Impact on India vs Pakistan clash on 14th September
- 📊 Social media reactions and trending hashtags
- 🌍 What this means for India-Pakistan cricket relations
📰 What Happened at the Asia Cup 2025 Captains’ Conference
On Monday, 8th September 2025, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) hosted the traditional captains’ conference ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. Captains from all six participating nations — India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, UAE, and Hong Kong — gathered in Dubai for media interactions and photo sessions.
After the formal discussions, players were invited to greet ACC officials. A short video circulating on social media shows:
- Suryakumar Yadav exchanging pleasantries with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha
- Immediately afterward, he shakes hands with Mohsin Naqvi, the ACC President & PCB Chairman
This seemingly normal gesture quickly snowballed into a controversy.
🔥 Why the Handshake Triggered Strong Reactions
For many fans, the handshake went beyond cricket. Several reasons contributed to the outrage:
1️⃣ Mohsin Naqvi’s Political Role 🏛️
Apart from being PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, a position deeply tied to national security and bilateral tensions.
Some Indian fans viewed the handshake as a sign of political compromise.
2️⃣ Past Controversial Statements Against India 🇮🇳
Naqvi has previously made strong remarks against India, which resurfaced online immediately after the video went viral. Fans criticized Suryakumar for “ignoring national sentiments” by appearing cordial with him.
3️⃣ Timing Before the India vs Pakistan Clash 🏏
With the India vs Pakistan group-stage match scheduled for 14th September 2025 in Dubai, emotions are already high. Fans expected a more “competitive stance” from the Indian captain.
🇮🇳 Indian Media & Fans’ Outrage
Within hours, several Indian media houses reported the incident, framing it as a “PR disaster” for Suryakumar.
Some trending headlines included:
- “Suryakumar’s Handshake Sparks National Debate”
- “Fans Slam India’s Captain for Meeting Mohsin Naqvi”
- “Asia Cup 2025 Off-Field Drama Begins!”
On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like #BoycottAsiaCup, #SuryakumarYadav, and #HandshakeControversy began trending.
Common reactions included:
“He’s representing India, not himself. This is unacceptable.”
“We expect our captain to reflect national sentiment.”
“Why shake hands with someone who has openly criticized India?”
🏏 Suryakumar Yadav’s Silence So Far
Despite the online storm, Suryakumar Yadav has not issued any official statement yet. Sources close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suggest that:
- The handshake was part of protocol during the captains’ meet
- Suryakumar didn’t intend any political statement
- BCCI is monitoring the situation closely but won’t intervene unless necessary
Cricket analysts believe this silence might be strategic to avoid escalating the situation.
🏆 India vs Pakistan: Clash of Titans Set for 14th September
The India vs Pakistan match at the Dubai International Stadium was already one of the most anticipated games of the year. Now, with this controversy, the hype has intensified even more.
Key Match Details:
- 📅 Date: 14th September 2025
- 🏟 Venue: Dubai International Stadium
- 🕒 Time: 7:30 PM IST
- 🎥 Broadcast: Star Sports, Hotstar, and official ACC streaming platforms
Given the emotional stakes, expect record-breaking viewership numbers.
📊 Social Media Reactions: Fans Divided
The handshake video has divided cricket lovers into two camps:
🟢 Supporters of Suryakumar Yadav
- Argue that cricket should remain above politics
- Believe the gesture was simply professional courtesy
- Highlight the importance of sportsmanship in global tournaments
🔴 Critics of Suryakumar Yadav
- View the handshake as insensitive given India-Pakistan tensions
- Demand an official clarification from the BCCI
- Call for Suryakumar to “show more national pride”
This split is driving huge engagement across Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
🌍 What This Means for India-Pakistan Cricket Relations
Historically, cricket between India and Pakistan has been deeply intertwined with politics. Every on-field gesture often carries off-field significance.
Experts believe:
- The controversy highlights how fragile cricket diplomacy remains
- Future ACC events may face increased scrutiny
- Social media’s role in shaping public sentiment has grown tremendously
🔍 Key Takeaways
- Asia Cup 2025 handshake controversy dominates cricket headlines
- Suryakumar Yadav faces criticism for greeting Mohsin Naqvi
- Fans demand clarity from BCCI ahead of the India vs Pakistan clash
- Social media divided between sportsmanship and nationalism
- Match hype reaches unprecedented levels
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why is Suryakumar Yadav being criticized?
A: Because he shook hands with Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan’s Interior Minister and PCB Chairman, during the Asia Cup 2025 captains’ conference.
Q2. Did Suryakumar make any political statement?
A: No, the handshake appears to have been part of protocol, and Suryakumar has not commented publicly.
Q3. When is the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match?
A: The India vs Pakistan match is scheduled for 14th September 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium.
Q4. How has social media reacted?
A: Opinions are divided — some view it as sportsmanship, while others see it as insensitive given India-Pakistan relations.
Q5. Will BCCI issue an official statement?
A: So far, BCCI has chosen to remain silent, focusing on the team’s performance rather than the controversy.
📝 Final Thoughts
The Asia Cup 2025 was meant to unite cricket fans, but the Suryakumar Yadav handshake controversy has instead sparked debates on patriotism, politics, and professionalism.
As cricket’s biggest rivalry — India vs Pakistan — approaches on 14th September, all eyes will be on Suryakumar and his team. Will this off-field drama affect on-field performance? Only time will tell.