The highly anticipated India versus Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled for September 14th in Dubai. This encounter marks the first meeting between the two teams following Operation Sindoor, a military action. The match has sparked significant controversy in India, with some calling for its cancellation. In response, the Indian team’s coach has broken his silence on the matter, deferring to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Both teams are focused on preparing for the match, with both aiming for a strong start.
The Indian team’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, has stated that the team’s primary focus is on performing well against Pakistan. He emphasized that the players are not distracted by external issues.
Kotak stated, “We will abide by whatever the BCCI decides in this matter. The decision to play against Pakistan was made by the government and the BCCI. We are here to play.” He also highlighted the intensity of India-Pakistan matches and the team’s desire to concentrate on the game.
The upcoming match has faced criticism in India due to heightened tensions. The situation arose after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, following which India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan, leading to strain between the two nations.
This has impacted sports, with the Pakistan hockey team not participating in the Asia Cup in India. However, the Indian team is slated to play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai on September 14th.
The BCCI has faced criticism on social media, with a video featuring India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav interacting with Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha further fueling the debate. This has intensified opposition in India and appears to be affecting the match, as reports suggest that ticket sales are below 50%.
