South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has weighed in on the India–Pakistan handshake controversy, saying the optics of players not greeting each other on the field “do not look good for the game of cricket”, while also acknowledging that he is not fully aware of the political context behind the decision.
Bavuma, part of the commentary panel for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, addressed the issue in a conversation with PTI, making it clear that his view is based on how it appears to the outside world rather than on the political realities between the two nations.
“Yeah, it doesn’t look good if you’re looking at it from the outside. It doesn’t look good for the game of cricket. At the end of the day, it’s a gentleman’s game, that’s what we’ve grown up with, a certain behaviour that is expected of us,” Bavuma said.
OUTSIDE VIEW, LIMITED CONTEXT
However, the 35-year-old was careful to stress that he does not claim to understand the political sensitivities behind the decision.
“But as I said, that is from the outside. I am not versed in the politics between India and Pakistan, so I can’t speak to that point of view. But I think as a spectator who’s just looking at it as it is without the full context, it doesn’t hold well for the game of cricket,” he added.
Bavuma’s remarks reflected a balanced stance, questioning the optics while stopping short of judging the motivations.
HOW THE ROW BEGAN
The debate around the customary handshake resurfaced during the Asia Cup when India captain Suryakumar Yadav did not shake hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha. Suryakumar later said the gesture was meant as a mark of solidarity with the families of those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people lost their lives. Indian security agencies attributed the attack to Pakistan-backed militants.
The decision sparked widespread discussion, given the political sensitivities that often surround India–Pakistan cricket encounters.
OTHER VOICES WEIGH IN
Former England captains Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook also reacted to the situation in the Stick to Cricket podcast. Vaughan described it as “sad” and said not shaking hands on a cricket field does not reflect well on the spirit of the game.
Cook, meanwhile, suggested the gesture may be largely symbolic, noting reports that players from both sides continue to interact cordially away from public view.
While opinions remain divided, it was Bavuma’s measured assessment of how the situation appears to the outside world that brought a fresh perspective to an issue that continues to attract attention beyond the boundary ropes.
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