The India-Pakistan Asia Cup fixture, scheduled for Sunday at 8:00 pm, has stirred intense debate across the country. The match comes just months after the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which claimed 26 civilian lives and triggered Operation Sindoor, where the Indian army struck terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. The tension escalated further with cross-border shelling and drone strikes before both nations agreed to a ceasefire on May 10.
In this backdrop, political leaders, fans, and even families of terror victims have called for India to boycott the tournament, while many criticised the BCCI for not withdrawing from the Asia Cup. The controversy has become a flashpoint between national sentiment and sporting obligations.
Breaking his silence on the issue, actor Suniel Shetty weighed in during a media interaction in Delhi. He said the blame should not fall on the players, who are only fulfilling their duty. “You cannot blame cricketers for playing because they are sportsmen, they are expected to represent the country. That’s a call we as Indians have to take whether we want to watch it or not,” he stated.
Shetty further clarified that the decision lies beyond the BCCI. “It’s a world sporting body. They have to abide by rules and regulations because there are other sports and athletes involved. It’s not in BCCI’s hands, and you can’t blame anybody,” he explained.