Amidst fervent calls for boycotts, the Indian cricket team has addressed the looming question of playing against Pakistan in upcoming tournaments. The crux of their response lies in adhering to the directives of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which in turn is guided by the Indian government's stance on sporting relations with Pakistan.

The debate has intensified, particularly in light of the recent Asia Cup 2025 match scheduled for September 14 in Dubai. This match marks the first face-off between the two nations since the escalation of border conflict in May, when India launched strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan after 26 tourists were killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam. The incident triggered strong public outcry and prompted a decisive military operation from India.

IPL chairman Arun Dhumal has made it clear that the BCCI is strictly following the government's advice. According to a new policy, India will not engage in any bilateral sporting contests with Pakistan but will continue to compete in multilateral tournaments such as the Asia Cup and ICC events. Dhumal stated that the government has made it very clear that they will not play bilaterals and only feature against Pakistan in multilateral tournaments and that they are only following the government's advice.

This stance has been met with mixed reactions. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court, seeking cancellation of the Asia Cup match, arguing that it disregards national dignity and the sacrifices of the armed forces. However, the Supreme Court declined to urgently list the plea, stating, "It's a match, let it be".

Conversely, various voices have emerged in support of boycotting the match. Political parties like Shiv Sena (UBT) have criticized the BCCI's decision and urged players to boycott the game. Uddhav Sena has announced "Majha kumkum Majha Desh" (My Sindoor, My Country) protest on September 14, on the day of the match that begins at 8 pm. Echoes of similar sentiments reverberated when India Champions opted out of the World Championship of Legends semi-final against Pakistan. EaseMyTrip, a key sponsor, also withdrew its support for the semi-final, citing concerns about normalizing relations with a country that promotes terrorism.

Former Indian cricketers, including Harbhajan Singh, have expressed their personal opposition to cricketing ties with Pakistan until relations between the two countries improve. However, Harbhajan added that he would abide by the Indian government's decisions on such matters and that if the government says the match can happen, it should happen.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia explained that if India refuses to play Pakistan in a multi-team event, the Asian Cricket Council or ICC could take strict action, which could impact the future of young players.

The situation remains complex, balancing national sentiment, government policy, and international sporting obligations. The Indian team's stance reflects a commitment to respecting the decisions of the BCCI and the government, even amidst strong public emotions and calls for boycotts.