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The Indian cricket team is all set to return to action in the highly-anticipated Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28. While the tournament was initially set to be played in India, but after considerable talks with the ICC to host all India versus Pakistan matches in a hybrid model, the tournament was moved to UAE.
However, both India and Pakistan are placed in Group A, along with Oman and the UAE, the high-octane India versus Pakistan match is scheduled to be held on September 14 in Dubai. Amidst this, several former cricketers have voiced their opinions on India to not play Pakistan in the upcoming tournament. While former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh earlier stood firm on the stance of India not playing Pakistan, former cricketer turned politician Kedar Jadhav is the latest to voice on the same.
Indian team should not play Pakistan at all: Kedar Jadhav
Speaking to the media on Sunday, August 17, Jadhav said, “I think the Indian team should not play at all. As far as India is concerned, I think that wherever India plays, it will always win, but this match should not be played at all.” “Ye match bilkul nahi khelna chahiye, aur khelenge bhi nahi, ye dave ke saath keh sakta hun,” he continued.
Watch video of Kedar Jadhav’s bunt take in India vs Pakistan:
The statement from Jadhav comes in response to the ongoing tensed cross-border relations with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attacks. Earlier, the India Champions also boycotted their group stage and playoff fixtures with Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025.
However, their league stage match did not make much of a difference, they decided to withdraw from the semi-final, which led to Pakistan Champions earning a qualification into the final, where they lost to South Africa Champions.
