As the buzz around the high-voltage India-Pakistan showdown in the Asia Cup reaches a fever pitch, former India captain and World Cup winner Kapil Dev has called for calm and perspective. The legendary all-rounder believes that the focus should remain firmly on cricket and not be overshadowed by political tensions.
“Just go and win. Those whose job is to play should just focus on playing – there’s no need to say anything else,” Kapil told reporters on Thursday. “Don’t make this a big issue. The government will do its job, and the players should do theirs.”
Kapil’s comments come at a time when conversations surrounding India and Pakistan’s participation in cricketing contests have once again taken a political tone. Since the Asia Cup schedule was announced, debates have resurfaced over whether the two arch-rivals should continue to face off on the cricket field, especially in the wake of the recent Pahalgam attack that further strained diplomatic ties.
While India and Pakistan haven’t played a bilateral series since 2012–13 due to ongoing security and political concerns, they continue to face each other in ICC and ACC tournaments. This year’s Asia Cup, officially hosted by India, has been relocated to the United Arab Emirates to navigate the sensitive situation, with matches being played in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The BCCI, for its part, has reiterated its commitment to the central government’s stance – which currently allows India to participate in multilateral tournaments involving Pakistan but not in bilateral series.
India Starts Strong
India began their title defence on a dominant note, steamrolling the UAE in their tournament opener. It took just 79 balls for the Men in Blue to bowl the hosts out for a meagre 57. The chase was clinical and ruthless – completed in only 27 balls, with nine wickets to spare.
Kapil Dev praised the performance, calling it a strong statement of intent. “The team is very good and has secured an impressive victory. We hope they bring the trophy home,” he said.
India are defending champions, having won the ODI edition of the Asia Cup in 2023. This time, they’re carrying both momentum and expectation into a tournament already charged with geopolitical undertones.
Eyes on the Big Clash
As the cricketing world braces for the marquee India-Pakistan fixture, Kapil’s words serve as a reminder to separate sport from politics at least on the field. The sentiment has echoed across cricket circles in recent years, where players from both sides have often expressed mutual respect despite the external noise.
In a region where cricket often transcends sport and becomes a matter of national pride, Kapil Dev’s grounded perspective offers a much-needed reality check. The stage is set for a fiery contest but as always, the hope remains that the game will be the ultimate winner.
