Criticism mounts over India’s scheduled clash with Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025
As India prepares to face Pakistan in the group stage of the Asia Cup 2025 on September 14 in Dubai, strong opposition is emerging from both political and cricketing quarters. The fixture, typically one of the most-watched events in global cricket, has taken on a more contentious tone following the Pahalgam attack and India’s military response in Operation Sindoor.
The match — part of Group A, where India is placed alongside Pakistan, UAE, and Oman — is being seen not just as a sporting rivalry, but as a political statement. Several prominent figures have voiced their disapproval of the BCCI’s decision to go ahead with the game, arguing that national sentiment and recent sacrifices far outweigh the commercial value of the encounter.
Aaditya Thackeray slams BCCI’s priorities in scathing social media post
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray was among the first to publicly condemn the BCCI for proceeding with the fixture. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he sharply criticised the board for placing commercial interest above national sentiment, directly referencing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address.
“It’ll be a real shame if the @BCCI thinks it’s above what the PM said from Red Fort today. After so many efforts of the Union Government and our country to tell the world that pak is behind the Pahalgham [sic] attacks, the greed for money of the BCCI stands above the sacrifice of the Armed Forces, the Nation and even the PM saying blood and water cannot flow together. With all the might that BCCI has in the ICC, it’s a joke to say we are bound by the Asia Cup Rules.”
— Aaditya Thackeray, posted on X
लाल किल्ल्यावरून आज पंतप्रधानांनी जे सांगितलं, त्यापेक्षाही आपण वरचढ आहोत असं जर @BCCI ला वाटत असेल तर खरच ही एक लाजिरवाणी गोष्ट आहे.
पहलगाम हल्ल्यामागे पाकिस्तानचा हात असल्याचं जगाला पटवून देण्यासाठी केंद्र सरकारने आणि आपल्या देशाने इतके प्रयत्न केले, तरीही सशस्त्र दलांचं…— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) August 15, 2025
Manoj Tiwary and Kedar Jadhav join the call for reconsideration
Former India cricketer and current West Bengal minister Manoj Tiwary echoed Thackeray’s views, urging the BCCI and government to reassess the situation in light of recent national security concerns.
“The situation was so bad, how can we think of an India-Pakistan match? I feel that it should be considered again and the India-Pakistan match should not happen in such an environment.”
— Manoj Tiwary, speaking to ANI
Kedar Jadhav, ex-CSK player and current BJP leader, went a step further in a recent interview, declaring that the match “should not be played at all” and expressing confidence that it ultimately won’t happen.
“I think the Indian team should not play at all. As far as India is concerned, I think that wherever India plays, it will always win, but this match should not be played at all, and they will not play. I can say this with confidence. Operation Sindoor is a hit, it is successful.”
— Kedar Jadhav, in a recent interview with ANI
#WATCH | Pune: On India to face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, Former Indian Cricketer and BJP leader Kedar Jadhav says, "I think the Indian team should not play at all. As far as India is concerned, I think that wherever India plays, it will always win, but this match should not… pic.twitter.com/M83rUBXJnc
— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2025
Harbhajan Singh: “The nation always comes first”
Two-time World Cup winner and former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has also strongly opposed India’s participation, arguing that the match trivialises the sacrifices of Indian soldiers. His comments reflect a growing sentiment among former players that cricket must take a backseat in moments of national grief and conflict.
“Our government has the same stance, ‘Khoon aur paani ek saath nahi beh sakte.’ (Blood and water don’t flow together). 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.”
— Harbhajan Singh, quoted by The Times of India
In an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com, Harbhajan added a more personal and emotional layer to his view, drawing parallels between sport and service.
“They need to understand what is important and what is not. This is as simple as that. For me, humare desh ka wo jawan jo sarhad par khada hua hai, unki families jo kayi baar unko nahi dekh paati hain, unki shahadat ho jaati hai, wo ghar wapas nahi laut paate hain — unki itni badi sacrifice hoti hai hum sabke liye. Toh ye to bahut chhoti si baat hai ki hum ek cricket match na chhod sakein [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 even skip playing one cricket match. It’s a very small matter].”
— Harbhajan Singh, in an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com
Cricket or compromise? Debate likely to escalate
Despite the backlash, the India vs Pakistan fixture remains on the Asia Cup 2025 schedule — one of up to three potential meetings between the sides, including the Super Four and the final. However, the growing wave of criticism from political leaders and former cricketers is unlikely to subside, especially as the tournament draws closer.
What remains to be seen is whether the BCCI will remain firm on its decision — or whether mounting pressure from within the country will force a reevaluation of cricket’s role during a time of national mourning and political tension.
