Bhubaneswar, Sep 13: As India gear up to face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday in Dubai, the match — typically a blockbuster sporting event — is now mired in controversy.

Following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in April that claimed 26 lives, and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor targeting terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, public sentiment has shifted dramatically. What was once a celebration of cricketing rivalry is now a flashpoint for national outrage.

Boycott Calls Intensify

With the match just a day away, hashtags like #BoycottIndvsPak have once again blown up on social media. From actors to veterans to journalists, and even former team India cricketers have echoed the sentiment.

Even sponsors backed out. Travel company EaseMyTrip withdrew as a sponsor back in July. Its founder Nishant Pitti wrote on X, "We stand with India. We cannot support any event that attempts to normalise relations with a country that promotes terrorism. Some things are bigger than sport."

Others in the public sphere also took a stand.

But not everyone is convinced that boycotting cricket is the right answer. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly had said back in July: "Terrorism must not happen, but sports must go on."

Yet, given the sheer volume of outrage, Ganguly's stance appears to be in the minority. In August, former cricketer Kedar Jadhav had urged the Indian team itself to withdraw from its Asia Cup fixtures against Pakistan in the UAE.

Public Outcry & Legal Pushback

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by four law students sought to cancel the match, arguing that playing against Pakistan undermines national dignity and disrespects the sacrifices of Indian soldiers. The Supreme Court, however, dismissed the plea, stating, “What is the urgency? It’s a match, let it be”.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), India’s largest film workers’ union, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sony TV to cancel the broadcast, citing emotional trauma and national morale.

Low Ticket Sales

Adding to the subdued atmosphere is the unexpected low sales of tickets for what is usually the hottest property in world cricket. Reports indicate that the steep pricing of packaged seats — bundled with aisle access, VIP lounges, parking, unlimited food and drinks, and private entrances — has backfired. Premium pairs of seats, ranging from Rs 1.67 lakh to over Rs 4 lakh, remain on the shelf. Only the more affordable lower-stand tickets have been selling steadily.

Team India Stays Focused

Despite the uproar, Team India remains undistracted. Assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak emphasized that players are focused solely on the game. Captain Suryakumar Yadav echoed this sentiment, promising an aggressive approach on the field.

If India Boycott the match…

During the recent World Championship of Legends (WCL), former Indian cricketers representing the Indian Champions team chose to boycott their matches against the Pakistan Champions, leading to a forfeiture in the group stage. Their absence in the semifinal encounter resulted in Pakistan advancing to the final, as India was eliminated without contest.

A similar scenario could unfold in the Asia Cup 2025. If the Indian team opt to boycott the scheduled match against Pakistan, it would be treated as a forfeit, automatically awarding points to the Pakistan side.

Moreover, should both teams qualify for the final, and India maintains its boycott stance, Pakistan would be declared champions by default — having received walkovers in all three potential matchups: the Group Stage, Super 4, and the Final.

Speaking on the issue, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has said that the board is following the government policy, explaining the consequences of boycotting Pakistan matches in global or continental tournaments.

“The policy we are following we are totally in alignment with the policy framed by the central government,” stated Saikia.

"If you think that if India boycotts any of the multinational tournaments hosted by the ACC or the ICC, or if you take any other sports, suppose a FIFA tournament or an AFC tournament or any other, suppose, athletic tournament involving multinational teams, and India is not playing with a particular country, then there may be sanctions against the Indian Federation," explained the BCCI secretary.

He also clarified that the sanctions may include India getting a ban from participating in global tournaments, which “will be detrimental to the interests of the players.”

Saikia said that the government of India “has taken into consideration all these factors” while formulating the policy that allows India to participate in every sports discipline in various multinational tournaments.

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