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A controversy erupted after India’s victory over Pakistan in the Junior Davis Cup (U-16) as as fans attacks Pakistan player for ‘attitude’ during post-match interaction.
Handshake controversy mars India-Pakistan tennis clash (X)
A controversy has erupted between an Indian tennis star and a Pakistani player following India’s decisive victory over their neighbours in a Junior Davis Cup (U-16) match in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, on Saturday.
The Indian tennis team triumphed over Pakistan with a 2-0 score, as Prakaash Sarran and Tavish Pahwa clinched their singles matches in the super tie-break. However, the aftermath of the match has sparked a major controversy due to the reaction of a Pakistani player.
In a video that has gone viral, a Pakistani player is seen offering a discourteous handshake to the Indian player. The first attempt appeared almost like a slap aimed at the Indian player’s hands but missed. During the second attempt, he made contact but quickly withdrew his hand in an abrupt manner, showcasing his disappointment. Reports indicate that this incident involved Pakistan’s Mikaeel Ali Baig and India’s Tavish Pahwa.
To his credit, Pahwa displayed remarkable maturity and composure during the unsportsmanlike incident, neither reacting poorly nor behaving inappropriately.
WATCH:
🇮🇳 India – 🇵🇰 Pakistan Handshake Drama at the Junior Davis Cup in KazakhstanIndia beat Pakistan 2-0 pic.twitter.com/mI85JBETCo
— Indian Tennis Daily (ITD) (@IndTennisDaily) May 27, 2025
Fans have criticised Mikaeel Ali Baig on social media for his behaviour, with many disapproving of his conduct.
An Indian tennis fan, Shahid A. Shaikh, commented on X, “Don’t know the score but it would have been 6-0, 6-0 with this filthy attitude. Shit mindset.”
Another fan wrote, “Loser PAK.. No sportsmanship,” while another suggested that the player should be banned, stating, “Should be banned.”
It is notable that this handshake controversy comes shortly after India launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, leading to the destruction of multiple terror camps in the country following the dreadful Pahalgam terror attack.
For context, the India vs Pakistan tennis match was played to determine the 11th place in the Asia-Oceania Junior Davis Cup under-16 tennis tournament.
In the 11th-place playoff, India’s Prakaash Sarran defeated Abu Bakar Talha 6-7(2), 6-3, [10-4], while Tavish Pahwa overcame Mikaeel Ali Baig 4-6, 6-2, [12-10].
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