RKhan_Cricket
Tape Ball Regular
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2018
- Runs
- 490
This Asia Cup 2025 feels different. Pakistan may still be losing to India, but the way they are fighting, showing anger, and even sledging has caught everyone’s attention. Many people think it all started with the “Handshake-gate” controversy — but maybe the story goes deeper.
When Virat Kohli was around, Pakistan players treated India with a certain softness. There was genuine admiration and respect for Virat, and that acted like an invisible boundary. They wouldn’t cross the line with him. Now that Virat isn’t in the team, that boundary has disappeared. Pakistan suddenly look unfiltered,free to show aggression without worrying about disrespecting a figure they admired.
At the same time, Rohit Sharma’s leadership style also plays a part. Rohit is calm, sarcastic, and rarely engages in heated exchanges. Unlike Kohli, who thrived on fire and face-offs, Rohit doesn’t give that energy back. That makes Pakistan bolder in how they express themselves on the field.
And here’s the interesting part: even if the handshake saga had never happened, even if there were no war tensions in 2025, Pakistan might still have sledged India. Because the absence of Kohli’s aura — and the presence of Rohit’s calmness — naturally changed the dynamics.
So yes, the handshake controversy added spice. But one of the deeper reasons could simply be this: Kohli’s absence and Rohit’s style created the space for Pakistan to play harder, fight louder, and sledge more than before.
When Virat Kohli was around, Pakistan players treated India with a certain softness. There was genuine admiration and respect for Virat, and that acted like an invisible boundary. They wouldn’t cross the line with him. Now that Virat isn’t in the team, that boundary has disappeared. Pakistan suddenly look unfiltered,free to show aggression without worrying about disrespecting a figure they admired.
At the same time, Rohit Sharma’s leadership style also plays a part. Rohit is calm, sarcastic, and rarely engages in heated exchanges. Unlike Kohli, who thrived on fire and face-offs, Rohit doesn’t give that energy back. That makes Pakistan bolder in how they express themselves on the field.
And here’s the interesting part: even if the handshake saga had never happened, even if there were no war tensions in 2025, Pakistan might still have sledged India. Because the absence of Kohli’s aura — and the presence of Rohit’s calmness — naturally changed the dynamics.
So yes, the handshake controversy added spice. But one of the deeper reasons could simply be this: Kohli’s absence and Rohit’s style created the space for Pakistan to play harder, fight louder, and sledge more than before.
