The highly anticipated India versus Pakistan match in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, set for September 14 in Dubai, has faced scrutiny and calls for a boycott. This stems from the recent tragic events, including the Pahalgam Attack. In response, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia outlined the board’s rationale for participating in the match. He stated that the decision is consistent with the central government’s directives concerning multinational sporting events. Saikia argued that a boycott would be detrimental to India’s ambitions of hosting future international tournaments. He further explained the distinction between bilateral and multilateral competitions, emphasizing that boycotts are not feasible in the latter. Saikia also highlighted the potential consequences of non-participation, including setbacks in India’s bid for the 2030 Olympics and possible penalties for Indian sports federations. The BCCI’s stance is based on adhering to the central government’s policies, which prioritize participation in multinational events to safeguard the interests of sports and athletes. Despite the ongoing controversy, Saikia expressed confidence in Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership and the team’s performance.
