As the most high-octane match of the Asia Cup 2025 between India vs Pakistan is approaching on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium, boycott pressure from the fans has been mounting on the Indian side.
Background of the Boycott Buzz
On social media, many Indian fans have voiced their anger over the team’s decision to play Pakistan on September 14. The outrage comes in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which led to Operation Sindoor, a military response from India targeting camps in Pakistan and Kashmir.
Many expected India to take a strong stance in the Asia Cup by boycotting the match. However, the fixture list remains unchanged, and India is set to play Pakistan as scheduled.
This has led to online campaigns urging Indian fans and citizens to boycott the game, both in stadium attendance and TV viewership.
India’s Coach Responds to Boycott Call
Team India’s assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak responded to the criticism by stating that the team’s primary focus is to perform well in the tournament and won’t give any attention to external distractions.
Asia Cup 2025: Where to Watch Pakistan vs India live
He added that the team is simply following the directions of the BCCI, which is aligned with government policies. “As long as BCCI and the government are on the same page, we’re here to prepare and compete,” he said, adding that an India vs Pakistan clash is always competitive and exciting.
Indian Government’s Stance
The Indian government had confirmed that Indian teams could face Pakistan in multinational tournaments, even though bilateral cricket remains off the table due to political tensions.
Still, fans expected a symbolic boycott following the tragic Pahalgam incident, where 26 civilians lost their lives.
Meanwhile, Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has also drawn criticism after a video showed him warmly greeting Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and ACC President Mohsin Naqvi during trophy trophy-revealing event.
His comments post-match about being “excited to face Pakistan” only further fueled backlash online.
Poor Ticket Sales of India vs Pakistan
Reports indicate that ticket sales for the India vs Pakistan match have been lower than expected, with many seats still unfilled. Several prominent Indian social media accounts have already declared they will not watch the game, urging others to do the same.
Whether this sentiment will affect TV ratings remains to be seen. The outcome could go either way – viewership might surge due to the rivalry, or drop due to the boycott calls.
If both India and Pakistan advance in the Asia Cup 2025, fans could witness this rivalry three times in the tournament – once in the group stage, then in the Super Four, and possibly in the final.
However, whether fans will emotionally support these games remains uncertain amid rising national sentiments.
