Harbhajan calls out BCCI, questions need for India-Pakistan cricket amid tensions
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has taken a firm stand against India’s participation in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 clash against Pakistan, citing national security and the ongoing border situation as overriding concerns.
In an interview with Times of India, Harbhajan questioned why cricketing ties should resume while soldiers continue to sacrifice their lives at the border.
“They need to understand what is important and what is not. This is as simple as that. For me, the soldier who stands on the border, whose family often doesn’t get to see him, who sometimes sacrifices his life and never returns home, their sacrifice is so immense for all of us. Compared to that, this is a very small thing, that we can’t skip playing one cricket match. It’s a very small matter.”
His remarks come as India prepares to face Pakistan in Dubai on September 14 in the group stages of the Asia Cup. The two sides could potentially meet up to three times during the tournament — in the group stage, Super Four, and final — depending on their progression.
Harbhajan invokes government stance: “blood and sweat cannot co-exist”
Harbhajan also echoed the government’s position on not engaging with Pakistan while cross-border terrorism persists.
“Our government has the same stance, blood and sweat cannot co-exist. It cannot be the case that there’s fighting on the border, tensions between the two nations, and we go to play cricket. Until these big issues are resolved, cricket is a very small matter. The nation always comes first.”
His comments follow a precedent he and others set earlier this year during the World Championship of Legends tournament, where the Indian team — including Harbhajan — boycotted both its scheduled matches against Pakistan.
“No one is bigger than the nation”: Harbhajan defends players’ boycott of Pakistan games
Reflecting on the wider role of public figures and their duty to the nation, Harbhajan emphasized that all individuals, regardless of stature, must place country first.
“Whatever our identity is, it’s because of this country. Whether you are a player, an actor, or anyone else, no one is bigger than the nation. The country comes first, and the duties we owe to it must be fulfilled. Not playing a cricket match is nothing compared to the importance of the nation.”
“At the border, our brothers are standing, protecting us and our country. Look at their courage, the big hearts with which they serve. Think about what their families go through when they don’t return home. And here we are, playing cricket.”
Harbhajan’s remarks have found resonance among fans and political circles, many of whom supported the India Champions’ withdrawal from their WCL semi-final against Pakistan earlier this year. That decision came after the team’s sponsor, EaseMyTrip, also pulled out in protest, stating: “terror and cricket cannot go hand in hand.”
Media also under fire: “Why are we giving them this importance?”
In addition to calling out cricketing authorities, Harbhajan directly criticized Indian media for amplifying the voices of Pakistani politicians and public figures during times of heightened diplomatic tension.
“Hum unko itni importance kyun dete hain? Are they that important? Are they that important ki har news channel unko chalaye? When you have boycotted them, when you don’t want to talk to them, then why show them here? This is the duty of the media – to stop this. They shouldn’t be adding fuel to the fire.”
“As I said, cricketers shouldn’t be shaking hands with the Pakistan players, but the media shouldn’t be showing them and their reactions on television, either. They are sitting in their country and can say whatever they want, but we shouldn’t be highlighting them.”
A growing divide ahead of Asia Cup 2025
Harbhajan’s bold comments have intensified the ongoing debate over whether sporting events should proceed as usual when diplomatic relations are strained. While the BCCI has not officially responded, the growing public and political scrutiny could increase pressure on cricketing authorities to reevaluate their stance.
The India-Pakistan fixture remains one of the most commercially valuable in world cricket — but as Harbhajan’s comments underline, there may be moments where financial considerations must take a backseat to national priorities.
