Ravichandran Ashwin roasts PCB over ‘handshake’ row with India

Cricket was never the only focus of the 2025 Asia Cup. The tournament had been politically charged from the moment it was relocated to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following the terror attack in Pahalgam. Ultimately, India and Pakistan faced off in the group stage, but the match was a bit different due to boycott calls. Despite India’s easy victory, a post-match controversy made matters more serious. Following the BCCI’s directives, Indian athletes declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts.

The decision left Pakistan fuming. PCB chose to take the matter up with the ICC, accusing match referee Andy Pycroft of mishandling the situation and even demanding his removal. But the ICC not only rejected PCB’s plea but also made Pycroft the match referee once again in tonight’s Super Four clash!

Ashwin backs Pycroft before IND vs PAK

That’s where Ravichandran Ashwin entered the conversation. Never one to dodge a debate, the off-spinner took to his YouTube channel to call out what he saw as needless theatrics from Pakistan’s camp. Speaking on his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin said the Zimbabwean official had merely carried out his duty and ensured a bad situation didn’t spiral further. “Andy Pycroft actually saved everybody from seeing such a poor spectacle. India informed the match referee in advance — this is our decision, and we will follow it. That’s it. After all this drama, you lost the match. So what are you complaining about?”

Ashwin dismissed Pakistan’s claim that Pycroft should have forced players to shake hands, likening it to treating him like a school disciplinarian. “He is not a schoolteacher. He’s not a principal. He can’t go and bring Surya and say, ‘Come shake hands’. That’s not his job. What exactly is Pycroft’s fault here?”

The Indian players just obliged their board’s instructions as per Ashwin. Just as in any organisation, when a directive comes from the top, employees follow. He emphasised that India had already communicated its stance to Pycroft, leaving no ambiguity. The off-spinner was also scathing about Pakistan’s demand for an apology. “If I were Andy Pycroft, you are apologising to me. What would I even be apologising for? ‘I’m sorry that Suryakumar Yadav didn’t shake your hand’? Really?”