India and Bangladesh were involved in a tense moment ahead of their ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 match in Bulawayo, with the strain between the two sides evident even before the first ball was bowled.

At the toss at Queens Sports Club on Saturday, India U-19 captain Ayush Mhatre and Bangladesh stand-in skipper Zawad Abrar shared a noticeably cold exchange. With Bangladesh’s regular captain Md Azizul Hakim Tamim sidelined due to illness, Abrar led the side for the crucial group-stage fixture. After Bangladesh won the toss and opted to field, the absence of customary handshakes and greetings drew attention, as both captains stood together briefly before walking away without any acknowledgment.

The uneasy atmosphere extended beyond the toss. During the national anthems, players from both teams maintained visible distance, and there were no interactions or handshakes when the squads gathered near the boundary rope ahead of the start of play. The lack of routine courtesies underlined the palpable tension surrounding the contest.

Observers noted that India’s conduct appeared consistent with a broader stance adopted by Indian cricket teams in recent times. Following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, Indian sides across age groups have avoided handshakes and formal engagements with teams from certain countries as a symbolic gesture against terrorism and in solidarity with victims. This approach had earlier been seen when India declined to receive the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from PCB and ACB chief Mohsin Naqvi.

That same posture seemed to carry over into the Under-19 World Cup clash in Bulawayo, setting a charged backdrop for the high-profile India-Bangladesh encounter.