Controversy erupted after players did not shake hands following the India-Pakistan match in the T20 Asia Cup. Shashi Tharoor stated that sports should be kept separate from politics and conflict, also citing the example of the 1999 Kargil War.
New Delhi: A controversy arose regarding the non-handshake after the T20 Asia Cup match played between India and Pakistan. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and batsman Shivam Dube left the field without shaking hands after the match ended. This incident sparked a debate among cricket fans, leading to various reactions.
Shashi Tharoor's Reaction
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor reacted to the matter. He stated that the spirit of sports should be kept separate from politics and military conflicts. He believes that if we have such b objections to Pakistan, then we should not have played against them at all. But once the decision to play has been made, the spirit of sportsmanship should be followed, and players should shake hands.
Example of the 1999 Kargil War
Citing the example of the 1999 Kargil War, Tharoor said that even then, India played a match against Pakistan during the World Cup in England. At that time, Indian soldiers were being martyred for the country, yet the players demonstrated sportsmanship by shaking hands.
Keeping Sports and Politics Separate
The Congress MP clearly stated that sports and politics should not be intertwined. He said that on the cricket field, tensions between countries should be set aside, and the game should be prioritized.
Commentary on Both Countries' Reactions
Shashi Tharoor described the reactions of both India and Pakistan as against the spirit of sportsmanship. He stated that if Indian players did not shake hands first, the Pakistani team responded by not shaking hands either. This harms the tradition and spirit of the game.
'Prioritize the Game on the Pitch'
Tharoor said that the cricket field is for sports, not for delivering political messages. He emphasized that players should focus on the game, and spectators should also view it from this perspective.
Shashi Tharoor stated that it is wrong to link the fight against terrorism to the entire country. He argued that while some people in Pakistan might support terrorism, it is not appropriate to consider the entire nation an enemy.
