Harbhajan Singh has strongly criticized the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)‘s decision to proceed with a cricket match against Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, following a recent incident where Indian players refused to face the neighboring nation in the World Championship of Legends. Harbhajan’s stance is that a cricketing contest is insignificant when compared to the national tensions and the immense sacrifices made by Indian soldiers.
Harbhajan Singh blasts BCCI’s stance on playing Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025
In a powerful and emotional statement, former India off-spinner Harbhajan has firmly rejected the idea of India playing cricket against Pakistan, emphasizing that the sacrifices made by the nation’s soldiers far outweigh any cricketing rivalry. His remarks came just weeks after Indian players boycotted a match against Pakistan in the WCL 2025, a decision that sparked a national debate.
With the Asia Cup 2025 schedule now announced, including an India-Pakistan group stage match, Harbhajan, as quoted as saying by The Times of India, has doubled down on his stance. “For me, humare desh ka wo jawan jo sarhad par khada hua hai, unki families jo kayi baar unko nahi dekh paati hain, unki shahadat ho jaati hai, wo ghar wapas nahi laut paate hain – unki itni badi sacrifice hoti hai hum sabke liye,” he stated, highlighting the immense sacrifice made by soldiers who stand at the border and never return home. “Toh ye to bahut chhoti si baat hai ki hum ek cricket match na chhod sakein,” he added, insisting that not playing a cricket match is a very small price to pay compared to the importance of their sacrifice.
The sacrifices of soldiers come before cricket
Harbhajan’s argument is rooted in a fundamental belief that a sporting contest cannot take place while political and military tensions persist between the two nations. He drew a parallel to a government stance, stating: “Our government has the same stance, ‘Khoon aur paani ek saath nahi beh sakte.’ It cannot be the case that there’s fighting on the border, tensions between the two nations, and we go to play cricket. Until these big issues are resolved, cricket is a very small matter. The nation always comes first.”
The former cricketer’s message is a direct rebuke to the BCCI’s ‘cricketing reasons’ for going ahead with the planned schedule, which he believes are not a sufficient justification. He stressed that everyone’s identity is defined by their country and that no individual, whether a player or an actor, is bigger than the nation. “The country comes first, and the duties we owe to it must be fulfilled. Cricket match na khelna bahut maamuli si cheez hai desh ke saamne,” Harbhajan asserted, underscoring his unwavering belief that national duty takes precedence over all else.
Also READ: Here is Team India’s 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025 – Predicted
Harbhajan’s call for a complete boycott from India with Pakistan
Harbhajan’s condemnation of the cricketing relationship extends beyond the players shaking hands on the field, advocating for a complete media boycott as well. He passionately described the courage of soldiers, stating, “Humare sarhad pe bhai khade hue hain, jo hume protect kar rahe hain, humare desh ko protect kar rahe hain – unke hausle dekho, wo kitna bada dil leke waha pe khade hue hain. Aur unke parivaar par kya beetati hai jab wo ghar wapas nahi aate. Aur hum cricket khelne chale jaate hain.”
This emotional plea contrasts the courage of soldiers with the idea of playing a sport. He believes this is a fundamental issue that extends beyond the pitch. As a result, he also advised the media to stop giving Pakistan attention, saying, “As I said, cricketers shouldn’t be shaking hands with the Pakistan players, but the media shouldn’t be showing them and their reactions on television, either. They are sitting in their country and can say whatever they want, but we shouldn’t be highlighting them.” This call for a boycott in all forms of media, he believes, is the only way to demonstrate India’s strong stance. The group stage match between India and Pakistan is scheduled to be played in Dubai on September 14.
Also READ: Here is Pakistan’s 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025 – Predicted
