Rohit Sharma breaks no-handshake protocol in India vs Pakistan match - BCCI punishment incoming?

The 2026 T20 World Cup India vs Pakistan match is finally over. The Men in Blue once again came hard against their arch-rivals, and the match ended in a one-sided affair. Indian bowlers dismantled the Pakistan batting order while they were chasing a target of 176. Ishan Kishan looked in a different form on a wicket that was gripping and holding.

Ahead of the match, former India captain Rohit Sharma, who flew to Sri Lanka to witness the game in Colombo, was seen hugging former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram. Rohit is the brand ambassador for the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the 2026 T20 World Cup. He is the last captain to lift the trophy in the previous edition.

Rohit Sharma dimisses no-handshake policy

Wasim Akram and Rohit were seen having a chat during the pre-match show of the ICC alongside Sanajan Ganesan. However, this hug and handshake occurred at a time when the two teams were dealing with a no-handshake policy. India stopped shaking hands back last year during the Asia Cup, to showcase solidarity on the Pahalgam terror attack.

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Legends Hugs, Kids don’t Shake Hands.. #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/FmfZlF12yA

— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) February 15, 2026

Despite a lot of meetings and demands from the Pakistan Cricket Board to the ICC to resume the handshake, it did not take place last night. However, Rohit Sharma is the brand ambassador of the apex body; he has to maintain all the protocol, shake hands, and have a talk with former Pakistan cricketers and broadcasters if needed to.

Rohit Sharma praises the Pakistan team

Rohit Sharma also praised the Pakistan team ahead of the match, as he said, "I’ve seen the Pakistan team, there are very good players there." The former India captain also visited the Indian camp, greeting players and support staff with smiles, handshakes, and wishing them well before the game.

Rohit Sharma said, "I’ve seen the Pakistan team, there are very good players there." pic.twitter.com/uSglRQeejV

— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) February 15, 2026

Rohit Sharma also went to the ground with the trophy and placed it before the two teams walked out for the national anthem, and he sang the national anthem while standing in the middle. Rohit Sharma was previously spotted during India’s opening game against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

India vs Pakistan: No More A Rivalry

Coming to the match, India were invited to bat first after Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss. The Men in Blue side made two changes, Arshdeep Singh and Sanju Samson making way for Kuldeep Yadav and Abhishek Sharma. Despite losing the wicket of Abhishek early, Team India were not on the back foot.

Ishan Kishan once again showed why he has been one of the most in-form batters in world cricket at present. Kishan smashed the Pakistan bowlers all over the park. The Men in Green’s spinners, Abrar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, and Shadab Khan, smashed every part of the ground. He made a 40-ball 77. While he was batting, it totally looked like a different wicket.

However, the actual nature of the wicket was seen after he got out, which was gripping and turning. India, with the small contributions from the middle order, posted an above-par score of 175/7. Coming out to chase Pakistan were no were near the game.

They lost their most inform batter, Sahibzada Farhan, in the very first over with Hardik Pandya picking the wicket. In the second over, two Pakistan batters, Saim Ayub and the captain, Salman Ali Agha, were sent back to the pavilion by Jasprit Bumrah. Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel picked two wickets each. Pakistan was bowled out for 114 runs.

Also Read: Just have to believe and focus on your strength: Ishan Kishan after blowing away Pakistan