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The handshake snub controversy in the India-Pakistan clash took centrestage in the ongoing Men's T20 Asia Cup 2025. While the Suryakumar Yadav-led team may face Pakistan again in the ongoing Asia Cup, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led India are scheduled to go up against Pakistan in the Women's ODI World Cup 2025 next month. With more than a couple of weeks to go in the encounter, India’s senior all-rounder Deepti Sharma was asked whether the snub will continue in the women’s game as well.
“That match is far away, and when it happens, we will see what to do,” Deepti told the reporters on September 16 on the eve of the second ODI against Alyssa Healy-led Australia. “We are not focussing on the Asia Cup at the moment; our focus is on this series.”
The clash between India and Pakistan will take place on October 5 at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
PCB’s demand rejected but PAK-UAE to go ahead
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) demand of match referee Andy Pycroft’s removal was rejected by the International Cricket Council (ICC). PCB had threatened to pull out of the tournament if the demand wasn’t met but Salman Agha-led Pakistan will play their must-win game against UAE on September 17. On the eve of the group stage match, they cancelled the pre-match press conference as well.
Deepti focuses on positives after defeat in first ODI
In the first ODI of the series, India were outplayed by Australia despite posting 281/7 on the board. In the run chase, Phoebe Litchfield contributed with an 80-ball 80. Then, Beth Mooney and Annabel Sutherland's fifties took Australia over the line with eight wickets in hand and 35 balls to spare. Despite the defeat, Deepti chose to look at the positives and is hopeful of comeback in the series.
“We would rather take the positives away from the match, like the partnerships we had in our inning and the small things we were able to do well,” she said. “And we don’t think there is much of a gap between Australia and India. We always play to win.”
The ODI series is a dress rehearsal for the ODI World Cup 2025. After the ODI series concludes on September 20, India will begin their World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on September 30.
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