Suresh Raina has finally addressed the India Champions' decision to not play their World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 semi-final match against Pakistan Champions, stating that the team would have "crushed them". The India Champions' team, which included veterans like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Shikhar Dhawan, chose to withdraw from the match in the wake of the tragic Pahalgam terror attack and the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.

The semi-final clash was scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 31, at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham. However, the Indian team's decision to boycott the match led to its cancellation, with Pakistan advancing to the final. This decision reflects the team's strong stance against terrorism and their commitment to national sentiment, which they placed above sportsmanship.

Raina's recent statement underscores the confidence the team had in their ability to defeat Pakistan. While he acknowledged the circumstances that led to the withdrawal, he also expressed a tinge of regret that fans were deprived of what would have been a thrilling contest between the two arch-rivals.

The decision by the India Champions wasn't taken lightly. It was a result of careful consideration of the prevailing public sentiment and the need to respect the emotions of the nation. The organizers of the WCL recognized the sensitivity of the situation and released a statement acknowledging India's decision to withdraw, while also respecting Pakistan's readiness to compete.

The move also saw reactions from sponsors, with EaseMyTrip pulling out of the match, reaffirming their policy of not associating with any event that attempts to normalize relations with a country that promotes terrorism. Nishant Pitti, co-founder of EaseMyTrip, stated that "terror and cricket cannot go hand in hand," emphasizing that the nation comes first, and business later.

India had a mixed run in the WCL 2025, finishing fourth in the group stage after losing matches to South Africa, Australia and England. They secured their semi-final spot after a dominant win over the West Indies Champions. Pakistan, on the other hand, topped the group stage with four wins in five games.

Ultimately, Pakistan progressed to the final where they faced South Africa Champions. South Africa emerged victorious, defeating Pakistan in the final. AB de Villiers played an instrumental role in South Africa's win.

The absence of the India-Pakistan semi-final was felt by fans worldwide. The two teams share a fierce rivalry, and their matches are always high-stakes affairs. While the circumstances prevented the match from taking place, Raina's statement serves as a reminder of the passion and competitive spirit that defines this rivalry.