Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has criticized Indian cricketers for their inconsistent approach toward playing against Pakistan. Kaneria pointed out the contradiction of Indian players skipping the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 match against Pakistan, citing political tensions, while now preparing to face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025.
The controversy erupted after prominent Indian veterans like Harbhajan Singh and Shikhar Dhawan opted out of the WCL clash against the Pakistan Champions on July 20, reportedly due to the backlash they faced on social media following Indiaโs military operation “Operation Sindoor.”
However, Kaneria found it hypocritical that these same players are now willing to participate in matches against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, which could see the arch-rivals face each other up to three times, including in the Super Four stage and potentially the final on September 28.
Kaneria: โStop Using Patriotism When It Suits Youโ
Danish Kaneria didn’t mince words, taking to social media to call out the apparent double standard.
โ๐ฐ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐พ๐ช๐ณ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐. ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐จ๐๐๐ ๐ช๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐? ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ ๐พ๐ช๐ณ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐,โ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐๐๐๐.
โStop using patriotism when it suits you. Let sport be sport โ not propaganda.โ
Kaneria stressed that if the issue was genuinely political, the same sentiment should have applied to both tournaments.
Shreevats Goswami Suggests India Should Forfeit Asia Cup Clash
Former Indian domestic cricketer Shreevats Goswami took an even more radical stance, suggesting that India should withdraw from the Asia Cup fixture against Pakistan entirely. Goswami argued that India’s participation benefits other nations financially, and thus, they should consider stepping aside.
โ๐ฐ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ & ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐,โ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฟ (๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ป๐๐๐๐๐๐).
โWe donโt need to win the Asia Cup. The only reason India is participating is to support other nations economically. If India plays, itโll make the nation angry. Ideally, this is what should & must happen.โ
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