New Delhi/Islamabad — Fresh controversy has erupted as India faces allegations of dragging politics into international cricket once again, this time ahead of the ICC Women’s World Cup. After tensions during the Asia Cup, reports suggest that the same confrontational approach may spill over into the upcoming women’s tournament.

Indian sports journalist Boria Majumdar, writing on social media, claimed that the political undertones witnessed during the men’s Asia Cup will now be replicated in the women’s game. “What happened in the Asia Cup will continue in the Women’s World Cup. The only difference is the gender of the players,” he said, suggesting that sport is once again being overshadowed by regional politics.

The journalist further alleged that in the marquee Pakistan-India clash, the symbolic act of players shaking hands might not take place, echoing the frosty atmosphere witnessed between the two sides during the men’s Asia Cup. His remarks quickly gained traction online, sparking debates on whether cricket’s spirit of sportsmanship is being undermined for political signaling.

Cricket observers point out that Indo-Pak encounters have always carried political weight, but the Women’s World Cup had largely remained outside such controversies. If Majumdar’s claims materialize, it would mark the first time that the women’s game is drawn directly into the same political theatrics seen in the men’s rivalry.

Analysts warn that such gestures, or the lack thereof, could damage the global image of the Women’s World Cup, which the ICC has been working to promote as a platform for unity, inclusivity, and the advancement of women in sport. “The Women’s World Cup should be about talent, competition, and showcasing women athletes on the world stage — not about political point-scoring,” one cricket commentator noted.

The ICC has not issued an official response to the speculation, but insiders stress that the governing body expects all teams to uphold its code of conduct and spirit of cricket. If players refuse customary courtesies like handshakes, questions may arise about whether such acts violate the ICC’s emphasis on respect and fair play.

For Pakistan, any deliberate snub on the field would likely be seen as an extension of India’s broader political posture toward sporting ties. In the past, strained diplomatic relations have already resulted in limited bilateral cricket between the two nations, with encounters confined to multinational tournaments.

The Women’s World Cup was expected to serve as an opportunity to spotlight the growth of women’s cricket globally. However, the shadow of political rivalry now looms over the tournament, with the India-Pakistan fixture once again at the center of attention for reasons beyond the boundary line.

Whether the allegations prove true or not, the debate reflects how deeply politics continues to seep into South Asian cricket. Fans, meanwhile, are left wondering if the world’s biggest women’s cricket stage will be remembered more for sporting brilliance — or for symbolic gestures that highlight division rather than unity.