India and Pakistan hockey teams break the ice with high-fives and handshakes after thrilling draw

Highlights:

• India and Pakistan U21 hockey teams shared high-fives before their Sultan of Johor Cup clash.
• The gesture came after handshake controversies in recent cricket tournaments.
• Pakistan took an early lead before India fought back for a 3–3 draw.
• PHF had advised players to avoid emotional reactions during the match.
• Both teams ended the game with smiles and handshakes, showing rare unity.

In a refreshing moment for South Asian sports, the India and Pakistan under-21 men’s hockey teams set aside recent tensions to share high-fives and handshakes at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Their 3–3 draw on Tuesday (14) became memorable not only for the on-field action but also for the sportsmanship displayed before and after the game.

Ahead of the match, players from both sides lined up as the Indian team exchanged high-fives with their Pakistani counterparts—a gesture that stood out amid the political and sporting strain that had carried over from recent cricket tournaments. Earlier this year, the men’s and women’s Indian cricket teams had refused to engage in handshakes with Pakistani players during the Asia Cup and ODI World Cup, following the tensions sparked by Operation Sindoor. Given that backdrop, many expected a similar cold exchange on the hockey field.

However, the young hockey players surprised everyone. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had already instructed its players to remain composed and prepared for a “no-handshake” scenario. “If the Indian players don’t shake hands, just ignore the gesture and move on,” a PHF official had said before the match. But the atmosphere took a positive turn when both sides greeted each other with respect and warmth.

The match itself was a high-octane encounter. Pakistan took an early 2–0 lead with Hannan Shahid converting a penalty stroke in the fifth minute and Sufyan Khan scoring from a penalty corner soon after. India fought back strongly in the second half—Araijeet Singh Hundal struck from a penalty stroke in the 43rd minute, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha equalized in the 47th, and Manmeet Singh briefly gave India the lead in the 53rd. Sufyan Khan, however, struck again in the 55th minute to level the scores.

Despite the draw, India maintained its unbeaten record in the tournament under the mentorship of veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. For Pakistan, the result came after an emphatic 7–1 victory over hosts Malaysia and a loss to Great Britain.

More than the scoreline, it was the spirit of sportsmanship that defined this encounter. The players’ decision to exchange high-fives and shake hands signalled a small but significant thaw in an otherwise frosty sporting rivalry—proving that even amid politics, the game can still bring hearts together.