Former India leg-spinner Harbhajan Singh strong put forward his opinion and criticised India playing against Pakistan in the forthcoming Men’s Asia Cup 2025, contrary to increasing public opinion against sporting relations with the neighbouring country. His comments are in the wake of recent terror attacks, such as the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, that have escalated calls for India to boycott all cricketing activities with Pakistan.
To the surprise of all, the Asia Cup calendar announced that India and Pakistan will clash in the group stage on September 14 in Dubai with the potential for two other matches in the Super Four and the final, depending on outcome. Harbhajan expressed disbelief at the choice, reiterating that national interest must take precedence over sporting obligations.
“They need to understand what is important and what is not. This is as simple as that. For me, the soldier who stands on the border, whose family often doesn’t get to see him, who sometimes sacrifices his life and never returns home — their sacrifice is so immense for all of us. Compared to that, this is a very small thing, that we can’t skip playing one cricket match. It’s a very small matter.” Harbhajan Singh said to Times of India
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“Our government has the same stance, ‘Khoon aur paani ek saath nahi beh sakte.’ (blood and sweat cannot co-exist). It cannot be the case that there’s fighting on the border, tensions between the two nations, and we go to play cricket. Until these big issues are resolved, cricket is a very small matter. The nation always comes first,” he added.
“Whatever our identity is, it’s because of this country. Whether you are a player, an actor, or anyone else, no one is bigger than the nation. The country comes first, and the duties we owe to it must be fulfilled. Cricket match na khelna bahut maamuli si cheez hai desh ke saamne (Not playing a cricket match is nothing compared to the importance of the nation),” said the former India spinner
This is not the first time Harbhajan has come down firmly on a matter. Prior to the World Championship of Legends (WCL) clash between India Champions and Pakistan Champions, there was huge social media outrage forcing the match to be cancelled. Despite Harbhajan, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, and Irfan Pathan having reportedly agreed to play, the India Champions later pulled out of the semi-final against Pakistan, gifting them a walkover. Pakistan then went on to lose the final against South Africa.
“At the border, our brothers are standing, protecting us and our country. Look at their courage, the big hearts with which they serve. Think about what their families go through when they don’t return home. And here we are, playing cricket,” he added.
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“Are they that important? Are they that important that every news channel has to give weightage to them? When you have boycotted them, when you don’t want to talk to them, then why show them here? This is the duty of the media — to stop this. They shouldn’t be adding fuel to the fire,” said Harbhajan.
“As I said, cricketers shouldn’t be shaking hands with the Pakistan players, but the media shouldn’t be showing them and their reactions on television, either. They are sitting in their country and can say whatever they want, but we shouldn’t be highlighting them,” he added.
Harbhajan also asked Indian cricketers to shut their on-field interactions, even handshakes, with their Pakistani players. He also asked the media to end coverage of what Pakistani players or officials say, contending it gives undue significance to them.
