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Cricket or Betrayal? Asia Cup Match Divides India

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, Dubai
  • Sep 14, 2025
  • 643

India will take on Pakistan in the Asia Cup on Sunday in Dubai, their first face-off since the Pahalgam terror attack (April 22, 2025) and Operation Sindoor (May 6–7, 2025). The match has ignited sharp political and emotional reactions across the country.

The BCCI, official host of the tournament, is keeping a low profile, with most board officials skipping the match. Acting president Rajiv Shukla may attend in his capacity as a member of the Asian Cricket Council.

However, voices from across the political and social spectrum are calling for a boycott.

Aishnya Dwivedi, widow of slain Pahalgam victim Shubham Dwivedi, appealed for cancellation: “My husband was shot in front of my eyes. How can we play cricket when 26 were killed and soldiers died in Operation Sindoor?”

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said: “When blood and water cannot flow together, why is cricket allowed? The Modi government has turned patriotism into a business.”

AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal warned clubs, pubs, and restaurants not to screen the match, calling it a “betrayal to the country.”


The FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees) has even urged PM Modi to stop the live broadcast.

Political sparring has also escalated:

Ajit Pawar (NCP) urged calm, noting differing opinions are natural in a nation of 140 crore.

Nitish Rane (Maharashtra Minister) hit back at Uddhav, alleging Aditya Thackeray would secretly watch the match.

BJP MP Anurag Thakur clarified India’s participation is mandatory under ACC/ICC rules, warning non-participation could lead to exclusion.


Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Union issued an advisory urging Kashmiri students to watch the match in a “sportsman spirit” and avoid inflammatory online posts.

The heightened emotions stem from the Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 tourists were gunned down, followed by Operation Sindoor, in which India destroyed nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan, killing over 100 militants. Retaliatory strikes and a ceasefire on May 10 left ties between the two nations frayed.

The backdrop is further complicated by Pakistan’s refusal to play in India during the Asia Hockey Cup (Aug 29–Sept 7, 2025) in Bihar, and Indian cricketers’ boycott of Pakistan in the World Champions of Legends (England, 2025).