No More Sharing: How a Champions Trophy Handshake Controversy Will Change the Asia Cup Final

The recent Champions Trophy final between India and Pakistan was supposed to be an epic showdown, but the weather played spoilsport, and the match was a washout. But the real drama didn't happen on the field; it unfolded afterward and sparked a debate that has now reached the Asia Cup.At the center of it all was a simple handshake and a shared trophy—or rather, the lack of one. When the final was called off, Indian captain Rohit Sharma reportedly refused to share the trophy with Pakistan. This decision didn't sit well with many, including Pakistani cricketer Ahmed Shehzad, who publicly criticized the Indian team for what he saw as a lack of sportsmanship."There Is Only One Winner"The controversy grew, forcing Rohit Sharma to clarify his stance. In a statement that has now set the tone for future tournaments, he made his philosophy crystal clear: "There is only one winner in the final."His point was simple. A final is meant to produce a single champion. While washouts are unfortunate, the rules are the rules. For Rohit, sharing a trophy that is meant for a single winner doesn't align with the competitive spirit of a final match.A New Precedent for the Asia Cup?This brings us to the Asia Cup. With the "handshake controversy" still fresh in everyone's minds, a new, unwritten rule seems to have been set, at least for the Indian team. If India makes it to the final and wins the championship, don't expect them to be sharing the trophy with the runners-up, no matter the circumstances.The Champions Trophy incident has drawn a line in the sand. Rohit's firm stand has made it clear that while sportsmanship is important, the ultimate goal of a final is to win the prize outright.So, as the teams battle it out for the coveted Asia Cup, there's an added layer of drama. It's not just about who plays better cricket; it's also about a new, sterner attitude towards winning. The message is loud and clear: the winner takes it all.