U-19 World Cup: India-Bangladesh Captains Skip Handshake Amidst Rising Tensions

• India U-19 captain Ayush Mhatre and Bangladesh stand-in captain Zawad Abrar avoided the customary handshake at the toss during their ICC U-19 World Cup Group B match.
• This incident follows a similar 'no-handshake' trend observed in recent India-Pakistan matches across various tournaments.
• The controversy is linked to escalating diplomatic and political tensions between India and Bangladesh, which have spilled onto the cricket field.
• Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has refused to travel to India for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup, requesting matches be shifted to Sri Lanka.
• Tensions heightened after Kolkata Knight Riders released Mustafizur Rahman, reportedly due to BCCI's request amidst violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.

Why It Matters: India-Bangladesh U-19 captains skipped the handshake, reflecting broader political and cricketing tensions.