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India & Pakistan Hockey’s 3-3 Draw Ends With Handshakes; A Stark Contrast to Cricket’s Snub

Shivansh Rana | 4 min read | 1 day ago | Oct 15, 2025 12:24 am IST
India & Pakistan Hockey's 3-3 Draw Ends With Handshakes; A Stark Contrast to Cricket's Snub

Just weeks after India and Pakistan’s senior cricket teams made headlines for refusing handshakes, their junior hockey squads just showed everyone a different path. On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, in a thrilling Sultan of Johor Cup clash in Malaysia, the young players from both nations exchanged high-fives and handshakes, reminding everyone what sports is really about.

Key Takeaways

  • In a powerful display of sportsmanship, Indian and Pakistani junior hockey players shook hands after their Sultan of Johor Cup match.
  • This is a sharp contrast to the recent Asia Cup 2025 and Women’s World Cup 2025, where the cricket teams from both nations avoided handshakes.
  • The intense hockey match itself ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw, with both teams fighting hard until the final whistle.
  • The backdrop to these events includes heightened political tensions following a terror attack in Pahalgam in April 2025.

A Different Story on the Hockey Field

Look, the tension between India and Pakistan in sports has been thick lately. You saw it in the Asia Cup and the Women’s World Cup. No handshakes, just cold shoulders. But on Tuesday in Johor Bahru, the junior hockey players decided to write a new script. They lined up, shared high-fives before the game, and shook hands properly after the final whistle. A simple gesture, but it spoke volumes.

It was a refreshing sight, a moment of pure sportsmanship that cut through all the political noise. This wasn’t about politics; it was about respect for the game and the opponent.

The Game Itself Was an Absolute Thriller

And what a game it was! This wasn’t just a friendly handshake session. It was a nail-biting 3-3 draw that had fans on the edge of their seats. Pakistan shot out to an early lead with a goal from Hannan Shahid in just the 5th minute. Sufyan Khan then doubled their lead to 2-0 in the 39th minute.

But India wasn’t done. They mounted an incredible comeback. Araijeet Singh Hundal pulled one back in the 43rd minute, followed by Sourabh Anand Kushwaha who leveled the score at 2-2 in the 47th. Then, Manmeet Singh scored in the 53rd minute to give India a shocking 3-2 lead. Just when it seemed India would clinch it, Pakistan’s Sufyan Khan scored his second goal in the 55th minute to tie the game 3-3. An absolute rollercoaster.

What a Contrast to Recent Cricket Clashes

You can’t ignore the backstory here. The sportsmanship in hockey stands in stark contrast to the bitterness we saw in cricket. During the T20 Asia Cup in September, the teams didn’t shake hands. The same thing happened at the ICC Women’s World Cup. Tensions were high, especially after India refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi following the terror attack in Pahalgam.

Interestingly, reports suggested the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had told its players to stay calm and composed, even if the Indian team snubbed them. But in the end, that directive wasn’t needed. Sportsmanship won the day.

So, What Happens Now?

This single hockey match has sparked a huge conversation. Fans are praising the young players for their maturity. It raises a question, doesn’t it? If these junior hockey players can show such grace under pressure, why can’t the senior cricket teams? It’s a moment that will hopefully make a few people think. India’s next challenge in the tournament will be watched closely, not just for the score, but for the spirit they bring.

What do you think? Was this a one-off moment, or a sign that sports can truly rise above politics?