India vs Pakistan Match Cancelled at WCL 2025 After Backlash From Legends, Sponsors
WCL cancels India vs Pakistan match after backlash from Indian legends and sponsors; Dhawan, Raina cite national pride, WCL issues public apology.
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The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash at the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 has been officially cancelled. The move follows widespread criticism from Indian cricket legends and sponsors, with WCL organisers issuing a public apology for the decision to schedule the match.
The controversy began when former India opener Shikhar Dhawan publicly declined to play against Pakistan, citing geopolitical tensions and national pride. “My country is everything to me, and nothing is above the nation,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter), sharing an earlier email to WCL organisers from May 11, in which he clearly communicated his refusal to participate.
Soon after, Suresh Raina and other senior Indian players also expressed similar concerns, leading to mounting pressure on the organisers. Travel tech company EaseMyTrip, one of WCL’s key sponsors, also pulled out of any matches involving Pakistan. The company reaffirmed its stance in a statement, saying, “Bharat First. Always.”
In an official apology, WCL stated that their intention behind the fixture was to foster goodwill, inspired by a recent friendly volleyball match between the two nations. However, they acknowledged that the cricket match announcement “hurt the sentiments” of Indian fans and players.
“We deeply regret the emotional distress caused and apologise for the inconvenience,” read the WCL statement, confirming the India vs Pakistan match has been scrapped from the tournament schedule.
Despite the cancellation, the WCL 2025 tournament, sanctioned by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), continues as scheduled across venues in Birmingham, Northampton, Leicester, and Leeds until August 2. The tournament features several retired international cricket stars competing in a legends format.
For now, the decision is being widely seen as a reflection of the sentiments of Indian players, sponsors, and fans, with many supporting the call to prioritize national interest over sport.
