Sanjay Manjrekar calls India's no-handshake policy ‘silly’ before IND vs PAK clash; ‘Either play properly or don't play’

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has slammed India's no-handshake policy with their Pakistani counterparts as "silly", calling the act doesn't look good as a nation at the world stage. Manjrekar's comments came just hours before the all-important India vs Pakistan clash in the T20 world Cup 2026 in Colombo on Sunday.

India no-handshake with Pakistan started during the Asia Cup last year in Dubai as captain Suryakumar Yadav, as a mark of respect towards the lives lost in the Pahalgam terror attack and also as a gesture of solidarity with the Indian Army during Operation Sindoor.

Since then, India and Pakistan players did not shake hands in any of the cricket matches (women and at U19 level). Taking to X, Manjrekar urged the Indian team to play in proper spirit of the game. This ‘no shaking hands’ is such a silly thing that India has started," Manjrekar wrote.

“It’s unbecoming of a nation like ours. Either play properly within the spirit of the game or don’t play at all,” added the 60-year-old, who played 37 Tests and 74 ODIs for India.