The build-up to the Asia Cup 2025 has taken a political and emotional turn, with the fate of the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash on September 14 in Dubai hanging in the balance. While the BCCI and PCB have maintained silence over the issue, former Indian cricketers have voiced strong opinions in the wake of Operation Sindoor, which followed the devastating Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year.
India, drawn in Group A alongside Oman, UAE, and Pakistan, was scheduled to meet their arch-rivals at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. However, questions are being raised about whether this match will go ahead. The terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives in early 2025 escalated into a brief armed conflict between India and Pakistan in May, casting a shadow over sporting ties.
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh had already called for a boycott, stressing that the nation’s security and dignity must come before cricket. Adding to this sentiment, ex-India cricketer and BJP leader Kedar Jadhav has made a bold statement urging India not to play Pakistan at all in the Asia Cup.
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Speaking to ANI, Kedar Jadhav said, “I think the Indian team should not play at all. Wherever India plays, it always wins, but this match should not be played at all. I can say this with confidence. Operation Sindoor is a hit, it is successful.” His remarks underline a growing belief among some former cricketers that sporting contests with Pakistan should be completely avoided until relations improve.
#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
For context, Jadhav was a dependable middle-order batter for India between 2014 and 2020. He scored 1,389 runs in 73 ODIs and 122 runs in nine T20Is, and also surprised many with his unconventional side-arm bowling, which earned him 27 ODI wickets. A member of India’s 2018 Asia Cup-winning team, Jadhav also featured in marquee events like the 2019 World Cup and the 2017 Champions Trophy.
At the franchise level, he represented several IPL teams, including Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai Super Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. He even lifted the IPL trophy with CSK in 2018, cementing his legacy as a versatile utility player.
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Meanwhile, the focus now shifts to the BCCI selection meeting, scheduled for August 19, where India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025 will be finalised. With Suryakumar Yadav confirmed as the T20I captain, reports suggest that the selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, are ready to make some bold and unexpected calls by leaving out a few senior names.
As the countdown to the Asia Cup begins, the uncertainty surrounding the India vs Pakistan fixture looms large. While fans around the world await this high-voltage encounter, the political backdrop and Operation Sindoor have turned it into more than just a game—it is now a matter of national sentiment.
