📍 Birmingham/India – July 29, 2025
In a significant development, Indian players participating in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) are reportedly set to boycott their semi-final clash against Pakistan at Edgbaston. This decision comes against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions and national sentiment following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.
❌ India’s Continued Stance on Sporting Engagement
According to reports from Sports Today and multiple Indian media outlets, senior players such as Shikhar Dhawan, Irfan Pathan, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Suresh Raina have refused to take the field against Pakistan.
This is not the first time the Indian side has taken such a step during the WCL. Earlier in the tournament, the team forfeited a group-stage match against Pakistan for similar reasons, reinforcing India’s longstanding stance of not engaging in bilateral or competitive sporting ties with Pakistan following terror attacks.
💬 Sponsors Join the Protest
The controversy has intensified with EaseMyTrip, a major WCL sponsor, announcing the withdrawal of its support for the high-voltage fixture. Co-founder Nishant Pitti posted on social media:
“Terror and cricket cannot go hand in hand. EaseMyTrip stands with India and will not support any event that attempts to normalize relations with a country that promotes terrorism.”
❓ What Happens to the Semi-Final Now?
The semi-final, originally scheduled to take place at Edgbaston, is now highly unlikely to proceed as planned. With India’s refusal to play, questions loom large:
- Will the organizers attempt a resolution?
- Will Pakistan be awarded a walkover into the final?
The WCL management has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
🔥 Renewed Debate on Sporting Diplomacy
This development has reignited a long-standing debate:
- Should sports be kept separate from politics and national security concerns?
- Or does engagement in high-profile matches risk “normalizing” relations despite acts of terror?
India’s decision is consistent with previous instances where cricketing ties with Pakistan have been suspended, save for multi-nation ICC tournaments.