India’s practice session and press conference schedule was adjusted ahead of their match against Oman in the Asia Cup 2025 due to a designated rest day.
Schedule Change Due to Rest Day
On Wednesday, September 17, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a last-minute change to India’s practice and media commitments ahead of their important clash with Oman. This decision came shortly after Pakistan canceled its pre-match press conference before their must-win match against the UAE. While Pakistan did not offer an official reason for the change, India clarified that it was simply a rest day, as decided by the team management.
Unlike Pakistan’s decision, which sparked controversy due to their dispute over match referee Andy Pycroft’s role, India’s change of schedule did not provoke any significant backlash.
BCCI’s Original Schedule and Late Announcement
Before the Asia Cup began, BCCI had released a detailed schedule for all of India’s practice sessions and press conferences during the tournament. Initially, India’s practice session on September 17 was set for 6pm (Gulf time), followed by a media interaction with the team.
However, late on the night of September 16, the BCCI updated the schedule, announcing that neither the media interaction nor the practice session would take place the following day. “Please note, there will be no media and practice session tomorrow. It is a rest day. We will share the new schedule for Thursday’s pre-match press conference later,” the BCCI stated in an official WhatsApp message.
India’s Preparation for Oman Match
Despite the schedule changes, India held a comprehensive practice session on Tuesday, with all squad members present, in preparation for their final group-stage fixture against Oman on Friday.
The BCCI had previously mentioned that the schedule was subject to change without prior notice, a clause that was evidently invoked in this case.
Handshake Controversy: India vs Pakistan
The practice schedule changes came amid growing tension between India and Pakistan following their match in the Asia Cup 2025. The controversy began when India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, avoided shaking hands with Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha at the toss on September 14.
Things escalated further when Indian players refrained from shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts even after the match. Yadav later explained that the decision was made “from above” and was in honor of the 26 victims of a tragic terror attack in Pahlagam earlier in the year. He dedicated India’s win over Pakistan to the country’s armed forces.
Pakistan’s Response and PCB’s Complaint
Pakistan did not take kindly to India’s actions. Salman Agha skipped the post-match press conference in protest. Subsequently, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged an official complaint against match referee Andy Pycroft. The PCB claimed that Pycroft had informed Agha in advance that there would be no handshake before the toss, and they requested his removal from the tournament.
The ICC officially rejected the PCB’s complaint, but reports suggest that Pycroft may be replaced by Richie Richardson for any upcoming matches involving Pakistan in the Asia Cup.
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