Should India stop playing cricket with Pakistan?

A question of national interest

Playing a sport with a country that has brought plenty of loss of lives over the years, killing innocent citizens as well as army soldiers, leaves a sour taste in the mouth of fans. There have been plenty of reports and even evidence to support the fact that the terrorist organisations residing in Pakistan do receive support from their government and the army. 

In such a case, the money earned from playing the India vs Pakistan clash is indirectly supporting the organisations that harbour terrorists. While there are many people in India as well as around the world who believe that sports and politics should be kept separate, most of the senior politicians and a large part of the fans have called out the BCCI for playing against Pakistan. 

The Indian cricket board is one of the richest sporting organisations in the world. There is no doubt over their stronghold in cricket. Indians in such a case have asked the Indian cricket team to boycott the clash, keeping their greed aside. 

Financials take a hit

The financials of the game will take a major hit if the India vs Pakistan match does not take place for any reason. As it is a known fact, any match involving the Indian team brings a lot of people to the stadiums as well as eyeballs to the screens. But when India and Pakistan play each other, the revenue generated increases by multiple folds. 

Apart just the ticket sales or the money earned through media rights sales, other industries earn as well from it. During the ODI World Cup 2023, the prices of hotel rooms skyrocketed in Ahmedabad. Apart from the hotels, the travel industry also benefits from the marquee clash. During the T20 World Cup 2024, thousands of Indians and Pakistanis from around the world took a flight to New York to attend the match.

The clash between India vs Pakistan could have its tickets opened a week before in any part of the world, but the organising committee can count on fans from India and Pakistan to make the travel arrangements and pay an exorbitant amount of money to attend the clash. 

Who will be affected by the cancellation of India vs Pakistan?

The sport of cricket has used the clash between India and Pakistan to market itself around the world. Even in the T20 World Cup 2024, the clash played at New York was expected to attract the sports-loving Americans to cricket. 

A major share of revenue for the International Cricket Council (ICC) during any multi-nation tournament is the Indian matches, especially the one against their neighbours. 

The ICC and ACC

If India decides to follow the nation's sentiment and does not play against Pakistan, the ICC and the ACC will take a major hit. Thanks to their own inadequacy, the International Cricket Council has been unable to grow the game out of the major countries. This has meant that India is by far the biggest market for the sport. 

India's boycott of any clash would have meant that the ICC would not be able to generate the same level of revenue. However, if the BCCI goes on to boycott the match against Pakistan, the revenues are expected to fall significantly. 

Media Channels

Media channels have bid huge sums to acquire rights for ICC tournaments. The revenue generated from the sale of these media rights accounts for the largest portion of ICC's revenue. The media channels know very well that their opportunity to make any money back or even a profit comes from the Indian games. 

Among these channels, the consortium between Jio and Hotstar pays the highest amount for the broadcast rights. In 2023, the company (formerly Disney+ Hotstar) paid slightly more than USD 3 billion to acquire the rights for the Indian region. They had raised concerns in August 2024 about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. With matches being played at a time not suitable for the Indian audience, the broadcasters could not generate the expected level of revenue. 

Similarly, for the Asia Cup 2025, Sony has acquired the rights to broadcast the matches in India. Sony Pictures Networks India acquired the rights for eight years till 2031 for the Asian Cricket Council by paying a sum of $170 million. It is expected that Sony would expect to make most of their money back or even a profit by broadcasting as many India vs Pakistan clashes as possible. 

PCB

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to take the biggest hit if India discontinues playing against Pakistan. A major source of revenue for different cricket boards has been their ability to earn revenue based on the salaries of their players in the Indian Premier League. Having the Pakistani players already banned from taking part in the marquee league, the PCB has not had the same flow of revenue. 

Similarly, unlike other countries, where a tour from India can boost the revenue for the year massively, Pakistan has not played against India since 2013. With no India vs Pakistan clashes, their share of revenue from the ICC could decrease.

BCCI

BCCI, the richest cricket board has often been criticised by fans of the sport from around the world for being too controlling of the sport. They get the highest amount of revenue from the ICC; however, the BCCI does not take a single penny from the share of ACC. In spite of once again being the highest contributor in terms of revenue, the BCCI is not a recipient of the ACC. This means that if India goes on to boycott the clash against Pakistan in this Asia Cup or any future tournaments, there won’t be any monetary effect on the Indian board. 

Other cricket nations

Cricket nations other than India and Pakistan are likely to be affected if India and Pakistan do not play against each other. The revenue generated from this match helps the ICC to distribute money to the full members and the associate members. The monetary aspect of India not playing with Pakistan could prove to be detrimental in nature for every cricket nation. 

How will cricket be affected?

Cricket as a sport will have detrimental effects on it if India and Pakistan do not play each other. Both countries share a rich history in the sport and have one of the biggest rivalries between them. In the past, there have been plenty of matches between the two countries that have gone down to the wire and have produced incredible moments. 

In the recent past, the match at the T20 World Cup in 2022 was an absolute classic. Virat Kohli played a blinder of a knock, scoring 82 runs while being unbeaten in 53 balls. At one point, India needed 28 runs off eight deliveries when Kohli struck two sixes off Haris Rauf's bowling.

Having not played test cricket against each other since 2008, there have been many iconic red-ball games between the two countries. None more so than the 1999 clash in Chennai. It was Pakistan who toppled the hosts despite Sachin Tendulkar scoring 136 while chasing 271 in the fourth innings. Eight batters were dismissed for a score of 10 or less. In a brilliant display of sportsmanship, the crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium gave a standing ovation to the Pakistani players. 

Some of the best players of the sport from both countries have left their mark in the India vs Pakistan clashes over the years. Given the intensity at which a match between the two countries is played, it is often a great test of the character of the players. Without the India vs Pakistan, the sport of cricket is set to lose arguably its biggest rivalry. 

The clash between the two nations is often packaged as the players taking on the battlefield. In times when there was regular cricket between the two countries, it was surely the biggest rivalry in the sport. Even the Ashes, with a much richer history, could not match the level of an India vs Pakistan clash in terms of intensity. 

Politically motivated decision

The decision on whether India should play against Pakistan or not will be, at its core, a politically motivated decision. Even though the ICC maintains its stand on how politics should be kept out of the sport, there is no denying the fact that many nations are not in accordance with the same. 

Relations with Pakistan, be it in a cricket stadium, are a major talking point in the Indian political debates and even the parliament. Since the schedule of the Asia Cup 2025 has been announced, there have been multiple discussions around whether India should play against Pakistan or completely boycott the match. 

Owaisi speaks out his opinion

AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) chief Asaduddin Owaisi recently expressed his outrage during a special discussion on Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha. The MP from Hyderabad talked about how there would be a cloud of discomfort and anguish if the players from both countries took the field together. He talked about how India had stopped trade with their neighbour, along with holding the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance. Owaisi said, "When Pakistan's aircraft cannot come into our airspace, their boat cannot come into our water, trade has ended, how will you play a cricket match with Pakistan? When we are not giving water, we are stopping 80 per cent of Pakistan's water, saying that blood and water will not flow, you will play a cricket match." 

Having been part of the special outreach Op. Sindoor program, Owaisi further reiterated the point about how it would be tough for him to watch the match. Along with him, the families who lost their family members during the Pahalgam terrorist attack would feel that justice was not done to them. "My conscience does not allow me to watch that match, the government has the courage to call those 25 dead people and say that we took revenge in Operation Sindoor, and now you watch the Pakistan match," the 56-year-old MP added. 

Priyanka Chaturvedi calls BCCI greedy 

Owaisi is not alone when voicing his opinion against the ruling government as well as the BCCI. Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Rajya Sabha MP from Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena too voiced her concerns over India playing against Pakistan. Chaturvedi believed that the move to play against Pakistan was a move of greed. She said, "Stop your profit over the blood of Indians and the Armed Forces. On one hand, India's CDS has said Operation Sindoor is ongoing, and on the other hand, you'll rush to earn your blood money." 

Chaturvedi’s claim that the clash is a move of greed is not baseless. There are multiple ad reports that suggest that even a 10-second ad spot during the clash could fetch lakhs of money to the media channels. 

Arvind Sawant urges stopping cricket with Pakistan

Another member of Shiv Sena (UBT) spoke out against the idea of India playing cricket with Pakistan. It was Arvind Sawant who spoke out during the special Operation Sindoor debate in the Lok Sabha. The MP said, "It would be inappropriate for India to play cricket with Pakistan, which has wounded India many times.” 

Sentiments of the nation

In a country like India with a diverse culture and multiple religions, it is seldom that the citizens unite on any issue. Meanwhile, the decision to play against Pakistan has left a sour taste in almost everyone’s mouth. With the nation still reeling from the horrific attack on the citizens in Pahalgam, the question of playing Pakistan is one that has not received a positive reaction. 

People have taken to social media platforms to voice their opinions. There have been allegations against the captain of the team, Suryakumar Yadav, and the Indian head coach, Gautam Gambhir. They have been asked to boycott the match to show their support for the nation.

Popular accounts with a large number of followers across different platforms have used their popularity to call out the BCCI. 

The sentiments across the nation have been of grief since that disdainful terrorist attack. There are families who are still reeling from their loss and paying respect to the fallen soldiers. 

Unlike the Indian cricketers, the players from Pakistan were quick to share distasteful posts on their social media platforms. Faheem Ashraf, who has played two One-Day Internationals against India, both in the Asia Cup, shared a post on his Instagram account.

Fans ready to boycott the clash

Apart from the cricketers, it has been the fans who have also been asked by fellow Twitter users to boycott the clash. If fans do boycott the match and do not watch the clash, there will be a sudden drop in ratings, which would affect the media channels as well as the organising committee. 

There are fans who have already gone one step further and are boycotting the entire tournament if India goes on to play Pakistan. The Asian Cricket Council and other members of the Asian Cricket Council would be wary of the fact and the amount of money they stand to lose if there is an actual boycott of the tournament. 

Bhaichung Bhutia voices his concerns

Former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia declined to speak about his personal opinion on whether India should play against Pakistan or not. However, he talked about how the decision to play against them or not should lie with the Government of India. Bhutia believes that the final decision that is made should not be a selective one in nature and must apply to all sports. Even though cricket generates a high amount of revenue.

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) in India has rolled out a new policy suggesting that India’s clash against Pakistan could go ahead as scheduled. The statement from the Ministry read, "In so far as bilateral sports events in each other's country are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India."

However, the MYAS further clarified that the decision would not affect multilateral tournaments, for instance, the Asa Cup. "We will not stop Indian cricket team from playing in Asia Cup as it is multilateral," the statement read. Meanwhile, the statement nowhere mentions whether India could boycott the clash against Pakistan by even forfeiting the match. 

Sports Ministry Issues Strong Policy

The Sports Ministry has clarified its policy concerning international events involving Pakistan as of August 20. According to the latest developments from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), India will not participate in bilateral sports events with Pakistan. However, India will compete in international events where Pakistani teams are also participating. Furthermore, teams from Pakistan will not be permitted to compete on Indian soil.

India's stand on sports with Pakistan is very clear. Indian teams will not play in Pakistan, and Pakistani teams cannot participate in head-to-head competitions in India. In major international tournaments, both countries can participate, whether held in India or overseas.

The document released by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) on August 20 stated, "Regarding bilateral sporting events in each other's countries, Indian teams will not participate in competitions held in Pakistan. Additionally, we will not allow Pakistani teams to compete in India.”

"Concerning international and multilateral events in India or overseas, we are guided by the practices of international sports bodies and the interests of our players.”

“Indian teams and individual players will participate in international events that include teams or players from Pakistan. Likewise, Pakistani players and teams will have the opportunity to participate in multinational events hosted by India.”

This development arises in response to the increasing public interest surrounding the India vs. Pakistan match in the Asia Cup. In the document, the ministry underlines its efforts to make India a more appealing destination for hosting major sporting events. The government is also simplifying the entry process for athletes and sports officials. International sports organisation officials can now obtain special multiple-entry visas valid for up to five years, facilitating their travel to and within India.

The policy also ensures that heads of international sports organisations are treated appropriately when visiting India. They will be accorded standard protocols and courtesies as per established practices. This strategy allows India to foster positive relationships with international sports organisations while protecting its national interests.

Former cricketers weigh in

The former cricketers from India have been in the news not only for weighing their opinion amid the controversy but boycotting a clash against Pakistan themselves. Recently, playing in the World Championship of Legends, the India Champions team not once but twice boycotted the clash against Pakistan Champions. In the group stage, the match between the two teams was abandoned with points being shared. The second time they were supposed to meet was the semi-final. However, with India boycotting the clash again, Pakistan Champions went straight to the finals, where they eventually lost to South Africa Champions. 

Harbhajan Singh was one of the most prominent players in the India Champions team. The former Indian off-spinner publicly showed his dissent towards playing against Pakistan and voiced his opinion on whether India should boycott the clash against the neighbours.

Harbhajan Singh calls for a complete boycott

Harbhajan Singh has seconded the sentiments of the nation and has called for a complete boycott of the clash against Pakistan. In an exclusive chat with the Times of India, Harbhajan said, "Khoon aur paani ek saath nahi beh sakte. Hum unko itni importance kyun dete hain? (Blood and water cannot flow together. Why do we give them so much importance?)”

Harbhajan showed that for him, the nation comes first. He showcased this while being one of the first players from the India Champions side to openly announce his boycott against the Pakistan Champions. The 2011 World Cup winner believes that the Suryakumar Yadav-led team should follow the same suit and boycott the clash against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. 

Gautam Gambhir believes no cricket should be played against Pakistan

Gautam Gambhir, the current head coach of the Indian cricket team, was asked about his own opinion on whether India should play against Pakistan during May. The question to Gambhir came only a few days after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam occurred. Gambhir responded to the question by saying, "My personal answer to this is absolutely no."

The 43-year-old, having served as a politician with the current ruling party, the BJP, was quick to point out that the ultimate decision lies with the government. Gambhir believes that all ties with Pakistan should be broken until all the terrorism stops. The Champions Trophy-winning coach further added, "I have said this before also, no cricket match or Bollywood or any other interaction is more important than the life of Indian soldiers and Indian citizens. Matches will keep happening, movies will be made, singers will continue to perform, but nothing comes close to losing a loved one in your family.”

Kedar Jadhav shows confidence on India not playing against Pakistan

Kedar Jadhav, unlike other cricketers, not only suggested against India playing Pakistan but also showed a layer of confidence in India not playing against the neighbouring country. The 40-year-old said, “I don’t think the Indian team should play. I also believe India won’t play. Wherever India faces them (Pakistan), they will win anyway. But this match should definitely not go ahead. I can say with confidence that it won’t happen.”

Ganguly becomes devil's advocate

Former Indian skipper, Sourav Ganguly, unlike most of his teammates, became the devil’s advocate. Like Gambhir, Ganguly believes that the ultimate decision to play Pakistan lies with the approval from the government. The 53-year-old believes that if the approval from the government comes, then the game should go on. Having served as the BCCI President, Ganguly said, “India-Pakistan cricket has always depended on government approval. If the government allows the match, it will be played. I have said before that terrorism must stop. But if the government gives the go-ahead, the game should go on.”

Game must go on: Akram

From the Pakistani camp, former left-arm pacer Wasim Akram opined that the sport must be left out of politics and the game must go on. While appearing on the Stick To Cricket Podcast, Akram talked about India and Pakistan potentially facing each other in the Asia Cup and whether the match should take place or not. The legendary pacer said, "Asia Cup schedule is out, there is backlash. But we in Pakistan are calm. We will be fine whether we play or don't play. The game must go on."

Further reiterating his point on how the clash between India and Pakistan should take place. Having played during a generation where bilateral cricket between the two nations was quite popular, Akram called for a situation where the two neighbouring countries even play test cricket against each other. "I hope to see a Test series between India and Pakistan in my lifetime," he added.