3 Things The 'No Handshake' row, Olympian's house razed, and construction site mishap
Oct 2, 2025
Sandeep Dwivedi, National Sports Editor at The Indian Express, dives into the heated India-Pakistan cricket rivalry, spurred by the Indian team's refusal to shake hands, which could complicate future relations. He highlights the lack of formal handshake rules in cricket and reflects on the tradition’s significance. The discussion shifts to the controversial demolition of hockey legend Mohammed Shahid’s ancestral home, triggering political backlash, and wraps with the tragic scaffolding collapse in Chennai, claiming nine lives and prompting urgent investigations.
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Sport And Politics Blurred
- The India-Pakistan Asia Cup matches were unusually acrimonious, blurring lines between sport and politics.
- Sandeep Dwivedi attributes this to recent cross-border tensions influencing players' behaviour and public pressure.
Handshakes Avoided To Dodge Backlash
- Players opted out of handshakes mainly to avoid social-media trolling and political backlash.
- Sandeep Dwivedi says Surya Kumar Yadav consulted teammates before deciding to stop handshakes.
No Written Rule Requires Handshakes
- Cricket has no explicit written rule obliging players to shake hands, unlike some other sports.
- Dwivedi notes cricket's governance relies on interpretable "laws" rather than strict prescriptive rules.