Harbhajan Singh has always been one of Indian cricket’s most animated and outspoken figures. But this time, he made headlines for a handshake. A short moment after a T10 match in Abu Dhabi has now become one of the most discussed cricket incidents of 2025, not because of cricketing skill, but because of the political shadow that continues to follow India–Pakistan relations.
The moment took place after Match 3 of the Abu Dhabi T10 League on November 19 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. Harbhajan, who captains the Aspin Stallions, walked across and shook hands with Pakistan fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani. Normally, such gestures barely get noticed. But in today’s tense climate, especially after the Pahalgam attack earlier this year, this handshake became a talking point far beyond the boundary ropes.
Harbhajan Singh makes the headlines for his gesture
Over the past few months, Indian players, both men and women, have followed an unspoken rule: avoid shaking hands with Pakistani players. This trend was visible during the Asia Cup 2025, where both sides skipped the post-match handshake entirely. The same continued during the Women’s Cricket World Cup. What began as a quiet symbolic stance slowly turned into a strong political message.
That is why Harbhajan Singh’s gesture felt different. Fans immediately noticed it, clipped it, and posted it across social media platforms. Within minutes, the video went viral. One side of the internet criticized him heavily, calling it a break from national sentiment. Another group praised him, saying sportsmanship should never die, even in tough times.
The reactions grew stronger because of Harbhajan’s own past actions. Earlier, he joined Shikhar Dhawan, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, and Suresh Raina in boycotting Pakistan during the World Championship of Legends. India even conceded a walkover, allowing Pakistan to go straight to the final. At that time, all five players publicly said that “blood and sweat cannot co-exist.” The message was clear: emotions and cricket had collided once again.
ALSO READ: IPL 2026 trade: Mumbai Indians send special farewell message after Arjun Tendulkar moves to LSG
This made his handshake with Dahani even more surprising for some.
The game itself was exciting, fast-paced, and typical of the T10 format. The Aspin Stallions posted 110/7 in their 10 overs. Harbhajan bowled one over, gave away only eight runs, and later came in to bat but was run out for a single off the final ball.
The Northern Warriors chased the score down with ease and finished at 114/1. Dahani delivered one of the best spells of the night, wherein he took 2/10 and dismissed Saif Hassan and Tymal Mills. He was the standout player, and rightly so, he earned the Player of the Match award.
The handshake between Dahani and Harbhajan lasted only a few seconds. However, it overshadowed the contest itself. What should have been a conversation about Dahani’s brilliant bowling turned into a debate on patriotism, diplomacy, and what cricketers should or should not do.
Sport has always been entangled with politics, especially when it comes to India and Pakistan. Every gesture, every comment, every small action becomes a symbol. For some people, Harbhajan’s handshake went against the mood of the nation. For others, it showed maturity and respect, something that sport often stands for even when politics does not.
In a mixed-nationality tournament like the Abu Dhabi T10 League, cricketers often share dressing rooms, dugouts, and team meetings. The environment is completely different from high-stakes international cricket. In such tournaments, friendships grow easily, and political lines blur. That is the nature of franchise cricket.
Harbhajan’s gesture may not have been planned. It may have simply been old instincts, acknowledging an opponent after a good game. But its impact has become far bigger than he probably expected.
