WCL 2025: Indian player boycott semi-final match against Pakistan
WCL 2025: The India Champions team in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 is set to boycott their semi-final match against Pakistan Champions. WCL 2025: Indian player boycott semi-final match against Pakistan.
This isn’t the first time. The Indian team had already refused to play their group stage match against Pakistan earlier in the tournament due to geopolitical tensions and public sentiment, particularly following a terror attack in Pahalgam.
Several prominent Indian players, including Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina, have publicly stated their reluctance to play against Pakistan. Shikhar Dhawan has reportedly reaffirmed his position, saying, “I didn’t play earlier, [and I] still won’t play now” if India faces Pakistan in the semi-finals.
Adding to the pressure, EaseMyTrip, a major sponsor of the WCL, has publicly withdrawn its association with the India vs Pakistan semi-final match. Nishant Pitti, co-founder of EaseMyTrip, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that “Terror and cricket cannot go hand in hand,” emphasizing a “Nation first” stance.
The WCL organizers now face a significant challenge. Forfeiting the semi-final would mean the India Champions are automatically eliminated, which could be a major blow to the tournament’s prestige and financial viability given the immense viewership an India-Pakistan encounter guarantees.
Asia Cup Context: This decision comes amid a broader debate about India-Pakistan cricketing ties, especially with the Asia Cup 2025 schedule recently announced, where India and Pakistan are set to clash on September 14, and potentially again in the Super Fours and final.
Former cricketers like Danish Kaneria and Mohammad Azharuddin have questioned the consistency of India’s stance on playing Pakistan in different tournaments.
The situation is highly sensitive, and the cricket community is awaiting the final decision from the WCL organizers regarding the semi-final. It highlights how geopolitical factors continue to influence sporting events between the two nations.
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