IND vs PAK: Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly on playing Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025 - 'Sport must go on'
The upcoming Asia Cup 2025 is already generating headlines, not just for its blockbuster fixtures but also for the political tension surrounding them. Scheduled from September 9 to 28 in the UAE, the tournament sees India and Pakistan once again drawn in the same group, setting the stage for potential multiple high-voltage encounters.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has weighed in on the controversy, especially in light of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
While acknowledging the national sentiment, Ganguly maintained a firm but balanced stance.
'I am okay. The sport must go on. At the same time, Pahalgam should not happen. Terrorism must not happen; it needs to be stopped. India took a strong stance towards terrorism...
Sport needs to be played,' he told ANI.
His comments come amid growing criticism following the Asia Cup draw.
The backlash intensified after Pakistan's Danish Kaneria questioned India's participation, drawing a contrast with India's withdrawal from the World Championship of Legends (WCL) clash against Pakistan in July due to patriotic reasons.
The Asia Cup will be played in the T20 format, acting as a tune-up for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Poll
Are you excited about the T20 format of the Asia Cup?
Very excited!
Somewhat excited
Not very excited
Not interested at all
For the first time, eight teams are participating. Group A includes India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman; Group B includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
India begin their campaign against UAE on September 10 and faces Pakistan on September 14, a fixture already considered among the biggest in world sport.
If both teams advance, they could meet again in the Super Four stage and possibly even in the final on September 28, making for a potential triple showdown.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
24 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘Would they have walked off?': Gautam Gambhir reacts to Ben Stokes vs India handshake controversy
With the India vs England 4th Test ending with a bit of a controversy when Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, both approaching tons, rejected England skipper Ben stokes' proposal to end the match as a draw an hour ahead of the stipulated time, India head coach Gautam Gambhir asked that if the shoe was on the other foot, would England have done the same? 'If someone is batting on 90 and the other one is batting on 85, don't they deserve a hundred? Would they have walked off? If someone from England side was batting on 90 and 85 and someone had the opportunity to get his first Test 100, wouldn't you allow him to do it? They weathered the storm. It's up to them. If they want to play that way, nothing more to say. I think both those guys deserved a 100 and fortunately they got it,' he said on Sunday at the post-match press conference. Having worked hard to earn a creditable draw, Jadeja and Washington, batting on 89 and 80 respectively, flatly refused Stokes' offer after he had approached the umpire, which irked the England skipper no end. With both approaching their hundreds after having saved the match for India who started their second innings 311 runs in arrears, Jadeja and Washington exercised their rights to continue batting. 'Do you want to score a hundred against Harry Brook?' Stokes asked sarcastically and all Jadeja said was 'I can't do anything.' Stokes said later, 'We took the game as far as we could. As soon as draw looked inevitable, I wasn't going to risk my bowlers with the short turnaround (time of three days before the start of fifth Test).' Amid the drama, a smiling Jadeja maintained his grace and ticked the English players off as India, as per rules, were well within their rights to carry on batting. In what seemed like a mark of protest, Stokes introduced Harry Brook into the attack and Jadeja hit him for a six to complete his third Test hundred. (With agency inputs)
News18
24 minutes ago
- News18
Rishabh Pant Ruled Out Of India-England Test Series, Confirms Head Coach Gambhir
Last Updated: Rishabh Pant has been officially ruled out of the India-England Test series, head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed after the Manchester Test. Head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed on Sunday (July 27) that wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the remainder of the India-England Test series. Pant suffered a metatarsal fracture after being hit on the foot by a Chris Woakes yorker while batting on the first day of the fourth Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test. He was taken to the hospital and was reportedly advised six weeks of rest, though he came out to bat on the second day and scored 16 runs too. The Test ended in a draw, thanks to valiant centuries from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who helped India overcome the 311-run first innings lead, forcing the hosts to accept a draw an hour before Stumps on Day 5. 'Rishabh is already out of the series," Gambhir said in the post-match press conference. 'I want to say that the character and the foundation of this team will be built on something that Rishabh Pant did for the team and for the country as well. Any amount of praise is not enough for him, especially batting with a broken foot. Not many people have done that in the past, and he put his hand up, and that is why I say any amount of praise, I can sit here and talk about this for hours and hours. I think the generations to come forward will talk about this, and the generations coming forward should talk about it," he added. First Published: July 28, 2025, 00:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: BCCI shares Rishabh Pant injury update, here's the updated squad for the Oval Test
India's Rishabh Pant walks off the field after losing his wicket during the second day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Thursday, July 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday shared an update on Rishabh Pant and also revealed the squad for the fifth and final Test between England and India, scheduled to be played at The Oval. "Rishabh Pant, who sustained a fracture to his right foot during the fourth Test against England in Manchester, has been ruled out of the fifth and final Test of the series," the BCCI said in a statement. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW "The BCCI Medical Team will continue to monitor his progress, and the team wishes him a speedy recovery." Tamil Nadu batter Narayan Jagadeesan has been announced as Pant's replacement. "The Men's Selection Committee has named Narayan Jagadeesan as the replacement for Rishabh Pant for the fifth Test, which begins on July 31, 2025, at Kennington Oval, London." India coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed Pant's injury for the first time after the visitors salvaged a draw in the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Sunday. Pant retired hurt on Day 1 when he was taken off the field on a cart with his foot badly swollen, but he returned—limping—on Day 2 to reach a half-century. Gautam Gambhir fiery press conference: Slams critics, big update on Jasprit Bumrah, Karun vs Sai 'It's been declared that he's out of the series, and one thing I want to say is that the character and the foundation of this team will be built on something Rishabh did for the team and for the country as well,' Gambhir said. 'Any amount of praise is not enough for him, especially for batting with a broken foot. 'I think the generations to come will talk about it, and the generations coming forward should talk about it.' Pant was injured while attempting a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes, and the ball deflected onto his right ankle and foot. India did not confirm the extent of the injury at the time, but he was replaced as wicketkeeper by Dhruv Jurel for the remainder of the match. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
