As the Asia Cup 2025 draws near, one of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind is whether cricket’s fiercest rivalry will take place at all. The tournament’s schedule suggests that India and Pakistan could potentially face each other up to three times. Yet amid the anticipation, a wave of uncertainty has gripped fans and experts alike, especially in the wake of the recent Pahalgam ter*orist att@ck that claimed the lives of more than twenty civilians.
The tragic incident has triggered a series of strong diplomatic and military responses from the Indian government, including a counter-operation named “Operation Sindoor”. With these developments, the announcement of Asia Cup fixtures featuring India against Pakistan has become a subject of intense debate within the country.
Adding to the controversy, former cricketer and now politician Kedar Jadhav has openly declared that India should boycott the group-stage encounter scheduled for September 14. In his statement to the media, Kedar Jadhav insisted that the match should not be played under any circumstances, emphasising that while India remains a dominant force in cricket, there are times when stepping away is the right decision. Speaking firmly, he asserted in Hindi that the Indian side will not play against Pakistan, a claim he made with complete confidence.
Here is the video in which Kedar Jadhav is interacting with the media:
https://x.com/ANI/status/1957126499213160808
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This stance echoes a similar decision taken just last month during the World Championship of Legends, where Yuvraj Singh-led India Champions refused to play against Pakistan twice in the second season of the league.
In a dramatic turn of events, the defending champions even withdrew from their semi-final clash against Mohammad Hafeez’s team, effectively giving Pakistan a free passage into the finals. However, their journey ended there as South Africa went on to defeat them in the title match. Reports from both IANS and PTI confirmed that the retired Indian internationals participating in the Birmingham-based league had declined to take the field against Pakistan Champions in the crucial knockout fixture.
With history repeating itself on multiple platforms, the uncertainty around India’s participation in the Asia Cup 2025 matches against Pakistan continues to grow. While cricket lovers worldwide wait eagerly for the high-voltage rivalry, the final call will likely rest on political decisions as much as sporting ones.
