Suryakumar Yadav, Salman Ali Agha, and the Great Handshake Debate: Fact Check

Delving into the truth behind claims involving Suryakumar Yadav, Salman Ali Agha, and handshake controversies during the Asia Cup 2025.

The Asia Cup 2025 has been rife with more than just cricket; controversies have swirled around interactions between the Indian and Pakistani teams. Let's break down the facts behind the 'Suryakumar Yadav, Salman Ali Agha, Fact Check' buzz.

The Alleged Handshake Snub and Foot-Touching Incident

Following India's victories, claims emerged that captain Suryakumar Yadav avoided shaking hands with Salman Ali Agha due to strained relations, adhering to a 'no handshake' policy. This led to protests and boycott threats, which ultimately didn't materialize.

A more peculiar claim then surfaced: that Suryakumar Yadav touched Salman Ali Agha's feet during the toss. Social media buzzed with images and videos suggesting this act of supposed apology or respect. But is there any truth to this?

Fact-Checking the Viral Claims

The truth? Suryakumar Yadav did not touch Salman Ali Agha's feet. The viral clips were snippets taken out of context. After flipping the coin, it fell behind the captains. Suryakumar picked it up to hand it back to the match referee, Andy Pycroft. The angle made it appear as though he was bowing to Agha.

So, what really happened? The coin went behind Suryakumar and Salman Ali Agha. Suryakumar leaned and picked up the coin, and at that moment Salman Ali Agha came closer to presenter Shastri and the camera angle was such that it looked like Suryakumar Yadav was touching the feet of Salman Ali Agha. In reality, he was picking up the coin.

Other Asia Cup 2025 Highlights: India vs. Oman

Beyond the controversies, India secured a hat-trick of wins, including a victory against Oman. Suryakumar Yadav strategically positioned himself to bat last, prioritizing giving other players valuable time on the field. Arshdeep Singh also made history, becoming the fastest Indian pacer to achieve 100 T20I wickets.

Final Thoughts

In the end, the Asia Cup 2025 gave us drama both on and off the pitch. While the handshake controversy and foot-touching claims added spice, it's essential to stick to the facts. And remember, sometimes a simple coin pickup is just a coin pickup. Now, let's get back to enjoying the cricket, shall we?