India–Pakistan match in England finally cancelled !

Result of the nationwide public opposition
Cricketer Shikhar Dhawan had already announced his decision not to play on 11 May 2025

New Delhi – The India–Pakistan match in the ‘World Championship of Legends’ (WCL) will now not take place. With Indian players withdrawing from the match, the organisers have decided to cancel it. WCL issued a statement in the early hours of 20 July confirming the same. Earlier, cricketer Shikhar Dhawan had also posted about this on ‘X’. Dhawan had conveyed to the WCL via phone call and WhatsApp message on 11 May 2025 that he would not be participating in the match. It is being said that this decision was taken in view of the mounting public anger.

In his post, Dhawan wrote, “Given the current tension between India and Pakistan and the prevailing geopolitical situation, I do not wish to play in this match. I still stand by the decision I made on 11 May. My nation means everything to me, and nothing is more important than my country.” He also attached a screenshot of the email he had sent.

Jo kadam 11 May ko liya, uspe aaj bhi waise hi khada hoon. Mera desh mere liye sab kuch hai, aur desh se badhkar kuch nahi hota.

Jai Hind! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/gLCwEXcrnR

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) July 19, 2025

Earlier, late at night on 19 July, news had emerged that Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, and Harbhajan Singh too had withdrawn from the tournament. However, it was only after Dhawan’s post that matters became clear.

The India–Pakistan match had drawn severe backlash from Indians across all platforms, including social media and news channels. Eventually, the organisers decided to call off the match.

“Since India and Pakistan are engaging in other sports as well, the cricket match was planned !”

Clarification by WCL

While announcing the cancellation of the India–Pakistan match, WCL wrote that several other sports were already being played between the two countries. It is learnt that Pakistan’s hockey team is to visit India, and a volleyball match between the two countries was recently held. (If this is indeed true, the organisers of those sports too must be pulled up ! – Editor) On this basis, WCL gave the shameful justification that it decided to organise the cricket match.

Editorial Perspective

WCL is not a foreign body. It was founded by actors Ajay Devgn and Harshit Tomar ! In other words, this is an Indian organisation responsible for global-level matches of senior cricketers. In such a case, to have taken such a decision is disgraceful for the nation. Why should action not be taken against them on this account ?

Editorial Perspective

If Shikhar Dhawan could realise it, why did the other players not realise it earlier ? Is money more important than patriotism and national duty ? If such questions begin to be asked by the sensitive public, it should not come as a surprise !