In an amazing display of sportsmanship amid geopolitical tensions, India’s junior hockey team exchanged high-fives with their Pakistani counterparts after the national anthem after a thrilling 3-3 draw in the Sultan of Johor Cup in Johor Bahru, Malaysia on October 14, 2025 and finally concluded the match by shaking hands with each other. Coached by veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, the Indian junior team – which was earlier undefeated with wins over Great Britain (3-2) and New Zealand (4-2) – fought back from two goals down, but Pakistan equalized dramatically in the final minutes at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium.

The cordial atmosphere is a far cry from the frosty Asia Cup cricket clash in Dubai last month, where the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian team refused to shake hands with Pakistan before and after the match citing solidarity with the victims of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. 26 people were killed in this attack, mostly tourists. Holding Pakistan-based terrorists responsible, India retaliated by carrying out air strikes on terrorist camps under Operation Sindoor, escalating tensions to near-war levels. While dedicating their seven-wicket win to the armed forces and the affected families, India also refused to accept the trophy from Pakistan Home Minister and ACC/PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi.

Adding to the uncertainty was Yadav’s post-match joke: “I don’t know what will happen next… Delhi is still a long way away. Whatever happens, we will see. For now, this is the time to enjoy.” Pakistan protested this “unsportsmanlike” snub by the ICC and captain Salman Ali Aga boycotted the presentation, condemning the politicization of the game. Reminiscent of the abstinence from the Women’s Cricket World Cup, the incident raised questions globally about the weakness of cricket diplomacy.

This harmony of hockey is the result of proactive measures: the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) trained its junior players to “stay calm” and ignore potential insults, and focus only on the game without emotional outbursts. “If the Indians don’t shake hands, just ignore and move on,” advised a PHF official, avoiding memories of the Asia Cup.

With India eyeing a third Sultans title (after 2013, 2014, 2022), this junior encounter highlights the dual faces of the game: the burdensome legacy of cricket versus the tenacious spirit of hockey. As the Junior Asia Cup approaches, can such moves melt the ice wider?