Jemimah Rodrigues and Fatima Sana's Hug Sparks Online Debate
Indian batter's warm embrace with Pakistan captain in The Hundred drew mixed reactions from cricket fans.
A post-match moment in The Hundred Women's Competition 2026 has become a hot topic. Jemimah Rodrigues of Southern Brave and Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, who plays for Birmingham Phoenix, shared a handshake followed by a warm hug after their clash in Southampton on July 30. The gesture stood out because India and Pakistan players have largely avoided such interactions in recent international fixtures.
The context is the strained relations following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025. India adopted a strict no-handshake policy during the Asia Cup 2025, and the women's team continued it in the World Cup later that year. However, franchise tournaments held outside India and Pakistan have often seen more cordial exchanges between players from the two countries.
Fans quickly took to social media to weigh in. Some applauded the hug, urging that politics be kept out of sports, while others pointed out that this was not a BCCI event. One fan joked about wishing to see Smriti Mandhana but getting Jemimah instead, while another simply celebrated the heartfelt embrace between the two players.