India women beat Pakistan 3-0 at Asian Games as players exchange handshakes

India's women's table tennis team defeated Pakistan 3-0 in a group-stage match at the Asian Games 2026 on September 21, 2026, with players from both sides exchanging handshakes after each contest.

Suthirtha Mukherjee, Syndrela Das and Sreeja Akula recorded the three singles wins for India, who had opened their campaign by stunning Singapore 3-2. The clean sweep moved the Indian women through the group phase and kept their progression intact.

Suthirtha Mukherjee opened the tie with a 3-0 victory over Aleena Khan, the games finishing 11-3, 11-3, 11-4 to give India a 1-0 lead. Cameras captured Suthirtha and Aleena Khan shaking hands immediately after that match.

Syndrela Das followed in the second match, defeating Kalsoom Khan in straight games, 11-6, 11-7, 11-5, to extend India's advantage to 2-0. The result put India within touching distance of closing out the tie.

Sreeja Akula completed the sweep by beating Fatima Khan 11-4, 11-4, 11-5, dropping just 13 points across the three games. Her win sealed the 3-0 victory for India and concluded the match series between the two countries.

Handshakes were observed at the end of each individual match, including those involving Syndrela and Sreeja and their Pakistani opponents. The Indian men's table tennis team was scheduled to face Pakistan later on the same day, and the article noted that India's cricket side has maintained a no-handshake policy with Pakistan since the Pahalgam terror attack last year; it also referenced that, in other sports, Indian players have been seen engaging more directly with opponents, citing high-fives between Indian players and rivals at the recent hockey World Cup.

India advanced to the Round of 16, where they are expected to face an easier opponent.