The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has come under heavy criticism after announcing India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025. A large section of fans, particularly in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, have voiced anger on social media, demanding that India cut all sporting ties with Pakistan. The decision to proceed with the tournament has triggered a strong backlash across online and public platforms.
Reacting to the controversy, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said that the players have little say in such matters since they are bound by BCCI contracts. He stressed that the final call rests with the Indian government. “If the government gives the green signal, then the players are expected to play. It is not really in their hands,” Gavaskar explained.
“It is the government that has to the instructions to the BCCI. The BCCI will follow what the government says, and the players will also follow what the BCCI says. I think it is going to be that kind of situation. So everything depends on what the government of India decides,” Sunil Gavaskar told Sports Today.
When India was scheduled to face Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends, former Indian cricket greats came under heavy criticism. The much-anticipated clash was eventually called off, and India also opted out of the semifinal of the tournament. Responding to the backlash, Sunil Gavaskar hit back at critics, stressing that the players were simply following BCCI instructions and had no control over such decisions.
“Well, I mean, if the government has taken a call, I don’t see how the players can be criticised or, you know, commented upon because the players at the end of the day are contracted to the BCCI. The BCCI will be taking instructions from the government of India. So it entirely depends on that. The players are helpless in this. The players would be you; they’ve been selected to play in the Asia Cup. And so they have to go out over there. And if the government says you have to play against, you have to play all the matches, then that is what the players will do” Gavaskar added.
India’s Asia Cup 2025 campaign will begin on September 10 against hosts UAE at the Dubai International Stadium. The much-anticipated showdown with archrivals Pakistan is scheduled for September 14 at the same venue.
India squad for Asia Cup 2025: Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh
The post “Players are…”: Former opener stands by Indian players amid backlash over Asia Cup 2025 clash with Pakistan appeared first on Cricket Country.
