Tensions flared ahead of the India vs Bangladesh U19 World Cup 2026 Group A match after the two captains skipped the traditional pre-match handshake.
India captain Ayush Mhatre and Bangladesh vice-captain Zawad Abrar avoided greeting each other at the toss. Abrar was standing in for Bangladesh captain Md Azizul Hakim Tamim, who was unavailable due to illness.
The incident comes amid strained relations between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Recent developments linked to the Indian Premier League (IPL) and concerns about hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 have added pressure.
Earlier this month, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad following a directive from the BCCI. The decision followed public calls in India to remove the pacer due to reports of attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh. The move drew strong criticism from Bangladesh cricket authorities.
In response, the BCB wrote to the International Cricket Council (ICC), requesting that Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches be relocated from India to Sri Lanka over security concerns. The Bangladesh government also suspended IPL broadcasts in the country.
Despite the controversy, the India vs Bangladesh U19 match went ahead as scheduled. Fans and media closely watched the toss, noting the skipped handshake as a rare display of tension between the teams.
With less than three weeks remaining before the T20 World Cup 2026 begins, uncertainty surrounds Bangladesh’s participation. The team is scheduled to play its group-stage matches in Kolkata and Mumbai. Officials are working to ensure security and smooth conduct of the tournament.
In other news read more about: World Cup Shock: Bangladesh Won’t Play Matches in India
The India vs Bangladesh cricket rivalry has always been closely followed, but recent events highlight off-field tensions affecting the game. Both boards now face the challenge of maintaining diplomacy while keeping the focus on cricket.
