Kapil Dev has gone brutally honest on the India vs Pakistan handshake controversy. The legendary former India captain has said that Indian cricketers have little choice but to abide by any government decision regarding interactions with Pakistani players amid ongoing tensions between the two nations.
India won its record-extending Asia Cup title, but what took everyone’s attention was the handshake and the trophy refusal by Mohsin Naqvi. Meanwhile, Kapil Dev has finally broken his silence on the no handshake occurrence from the traditional rivals.
Kapil Dev goes brutally honest on India vs Pakistan handshake controversy at Asia Cup: 'If government…’
Speaking to India Today, Kapil Dev addressed the latest controversy after the Indian women’s team refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council president and Pakistan Cricket Board chief, Naqvi, following their victory over Sri Lanka in the final. He said:
“If the government has taken a decision not to shake hands with Pakistani players, then the players have no choice.”
Kapil Dev added:
“In such matters, players will go by what the government says.”
Kapil Dev speaks on Imran Khan situation
The 1983 World Cup-winning captain also commented on the situation of former Pakistan captain and prime minister Imran Khan, who has been held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since 2023. He said to the aforementioned source:
“Imran Khan deserves humane treatment. That is our basic demand.”
The remarks come against a backdrop of strained India-Pakistan sporting relations, which have seen Indian teams avoid handshakes and trophy presentations involving Pakistani officials in recent Asia Cup events.
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