Politics in India on Recent Asia Cup in India-Pakistan Criket Match 2025

 Politics in India on Recent Asia Cup in India-Pakistan Criket Match 2025

As of September 17, 2025, the most prominent example of politics influencing India-Pakistan cricket is the Asia Cup 2025 match held on September 14 in Dubai, UAE. This fixture occurred amid escalating tensions following a major terror attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, on April 2025, where 26 Indian civilians (mostly Hindus) were killed by militants who reportedly asked victims about their religion before shooting. India accused Pakistan of sponsoring the attack, leading to "Operation Sindoor"—Indian cross-border strikes on terror camps in Pakistan's Bahawalpur and Muridke—and a four-day exchange of aerial fire in May 2025. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire halted the fighting, but diplomatic ties remain severed.

The match, part of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC)-organized T20 tournament, became a flashpoint for political debate in India. Opposition parties and some BJP allies demanded a boycott, viewing participation as a "betrayal" of the victims and national security. Key reactions included:

• Opposition Criticism: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray questioned how "blood and cricket can flow together," referencing PM Modi's "blood and water cannot flow together" remark on the Indus Waters Treaty suspension. Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena UBT) called for street protests and accused the government of prioritizing "thousands of crores" in revenue over 26 lives. AAP's Arvind Kejriwal labeled it a "betrayal" and speculated U.S. President Trump's pressure (echoing the ceasefire). AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi urged state chief ministers to refuse the match, tying it to the attackers' alleged religious targeting.
• Government and BJP Defense: Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar separated "cricket and conflict" as "two different issues," arguing boycotting would unfairly penalize players and that the decision was "thoughtful." Haryana Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam framed it as national pride, while Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) cited Congress-era matches during tense times. Union Minister Anurag Thakur called participation a "compulsion" to avoid awarding Pakistan points via forfeit.
• Public and Symbolic Protests: Families of victims, like Aishanya Dwivedi (widow of Shubham Dwivedi), condemned the BCCI for lacking empathy. AAP workers burned Pakistan-labeled effigies in Delhi and threatened to expose venues screening the match. An IPL franchise, Punjab Kings, joined the boycott symbolically via social media. A Supreme Court petition highlighted security risks, but the match proceeded under tight neutral-venue protocols in Dubai.

The game itself amplified the politics: Pakistan won the toss and batted first but was restricted to a low total, with India securing a seven-wicket victory. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the win to the armed forces and Pahalgam victims, calling it a "perfect reply" to Pakistan. Notably, the Indian team skipped customary pre- and post-match handshakes with Pakistani players—a rare breach of cricket's "spirit of the game." Yadav and opener Shivam Dube walked off without acknowledging opponents, while Pakistan captain Salman Agha boycotted the post-match presentation in protest. The BCCI defended this, stating handshakes are a "goodwill gesture, not a rule."

Escalating Fallout and Broader Implications

The "no-handshake" snub has sparked international backlash and threats of further disruption:

• Pakistan's Response: PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi (also ACC head) called it "utterly disappointing" and a violation of sportsmanship, accusing politics of poisoning the game. The PCB lodged complaints with the ICC and match referee Andy Pycroft, alleging he instructed Agha to skip the toss handshake. Pakistan threatened to withdraw from remaining Asia Cup matches (potentially facing India again in semifinals or finals) unless Pycroft is removed and Naqvi is excluded from trophy presentations—a demand reportedly echoed by Yadav. As of September 17, PCB is consulting the Pakistani government in a late-night meeting, prioritizing "national interest."
• Global and Fan Reactions: On X (formerly Twitter), sentiments are divided. Pakistani users like @sbpmlofficial condemned India's "unacceptable" behavior, urging sports to stay apolitical. Indian fans celebrated the snub as solidarity, while neutrals (e.g., @RichKettle07 quoting BCCI) debated if it's against cricket's gentlemanly ethos. Pakistani coach Mike Hesson expressed disappointment, noting the team waited to shake hands. Reports highlight a "gulf" in team preparations, with India's Dubai sessions exposing Pakistan's form struggles amid the drama.
• Commercial vs. Ethical Dilemma: Critics like Al Jazeera argue India monetizes patriotism—refusing bilaterals for politics but playing in tournaments for revenue—while drawing parallels to principled boycotts (e.g., against Israel). The sparse Dubai crowd reflected Indian boycott calls, underscoring how politics erodes the rivalry's appeal. Broader concerns include eroding people-to-people ties; even minor gestures like handshakes now face outrage, signaling deteriorating bilateral relations.

In summary, the politics of India-Pakistan cricket matches exemplify how sport becomes a battleground for unresolved conflicts, with the 2025 Asia Cup highlighting a shift toward even basic courtesies being weaponized. While governments and boards cite compulsions (e.g., ICC rules, revenue), the incidents reveal deepening polarization, where cricket's unifying potential is overshadowed by nationalism and grief. As the Asia Cup continues, further clashes could intensify, potentially affecting future ICC events.

Source: Grok