In the backdrop of heightened political tensions between India and Pakistan, former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan made it clear that he stood firm on his decision not to participate in any cricket match against Pakistan, even in a legends tournament. Dhawan was among several Indian players who opted out of the scheduled clash against the Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 on July 20.

The match was eventually cancelled after mounting pressure and widespread backlash following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent military operation—Operation Sindoor. Organisers of the WCL issued a formal apology, acknowledging that scheduling such a fixture during a sensitive period was an oversight and had “unintentionally caused discomfort.”

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While the tournament continued without the marquee India-Pakistan clash, Dhawan was later approached by a journalist on the sidelines and asked whether he would consider playing against Pakistan if both teams were to meet in the knockout stages. The seasoned cricketer, known for his usually composed demeanor, was visibly irked by the line of questioning.

Shikhar Dhawan angry reply on If Pakistan reaches the semi-final against you… will you still play, or ask for a day off? 😄🇵🇰🇮🇳 #WCL25 pic.twitter.com/d96yRQpsp2

— Ahtasham Riaz (@ahtashamriaz22) July 26, 2025

In a firm yet composed response, Shikhar Dhawan said, “Brother, you’re asking this question at the wrong place right now. If you’re asking that, do you think I’m going to answer? You shouldn’t be asking this question. And if I haven’t played earlier, then I still won’t play.”

His remarks underscored the strong sentiment shared by many Indian players in the current geopolitical climate. Dhawan, who has always worn patriotism on his sleeve, chose solidarity over sport, emphasising that certain decisions go beyond cricket.

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The World Championship of Legends, which features iconic players from various nations in a nostalgic T20 format, was envisioned as a celebration of the sport’s history. But real-world tensions reminded everyone that cricket, though a unifying force, cannot remain entirely isolated from geopolitical realities. For Dhawan and others, the decision was personal and principled—and they stood by it without hesitation.