Kapil Dev to Team India: Stay Focused on Pakistan Clash, Avoid Controversies

Sports News: The biggest match of the Asia Cup 2025 - India vs. Pakistan—is now just a few days away. This high-voltage match will be played in the Group-A stage on Sunday, September 14. But after the death of 26 tourists in the Pahalgam terror attack, controversy and demand for boycott have intensified across the country regarding this match. In such a situation, former Indian captain and 1983 World Cup winner Kapil Dev has made an important appeal to the players and fans. Kapil Dev said that players should not get into politics or controversy and should only focus on their sports and victory on the field.

Pahalgam terror attack and demand for boycott

26 tourists were killed in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. This incident shook the entire country and the resentment and anger against Pakistan increased further. Since then, there has been a constant demand on social media that India should not play this match against Pakistan. Many organizations and political parties also appealed to BCCI and the government to cancel this match.

BCCI's statement—Following the order of the Sports Ministry

Amidst the growing controversy, BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia recently issued a statement and made it clear that this match between India and Pakistan will be played as per the scheduled program. Saikia said that BCCI is only following the order of the Sports Ministry. The Sports Ministry has allowed playing against Pakistan in multilateral tournaments (such as the Asia Cup and the World Cup), but playing bilateral series is prohibited.

Saikia's statement: "According to the guidelines of the Government of India, we can play against Pakistan in multilateral tournaments. Therefore, this match will not be cancelled."

India's new policy - Matches only in multilateral tournaments

After the Pahalgam attack, the Indian government has implemented a new policy. According to this:

Bilateral sports relations ended—India will no longer play any bilateral series with Pakistan. Exemption from multilateral tournaments—Indian teams can play against Pakistan in tournaments like the Asia Cup, the World Cup, and the Champions Trophy. Following this policy, India and Pakistan will face each other in the Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday.

Kapil Dev's statement—'Players should focus only on the game'

Amid the controversy, former Indian captain Kapil Dev appealed to the players and fans to maintain restraint. He said that decisions on politics and security are the government's job, while the players' job is only to perform on the field. Kapil Dev's statement : "Indian players should focus only on the game. This team is strong and they must win. Players should focus on their performance and not get distracted by anything else. Just go and win. The government will do its job and the players will do theirs."

Kapil Dev also said that fans and commentators should also not overreact to the situation.

There can be three matches between India & Pakistan

India and Pakistan can face each other three times in the 2025 Asia Cup.

• First match: Group-stage – Sunday, September 14
• Second match: Super 4 stage—Sunday, September 21 (if both teams qualify from Group-A)
• Third match: Final—if both teams remain in the top 2 in Super 4.

This possibility has made this tournament even more exciting for cricket fans.

Supreme Court rejects PIL

Meanwhile, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court, demanding that the Asia Cup match against Pakistan be canceled. The petition said that "cricket cannot be placed above national interest." During the hearing on Thursday, Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice Vijay Bishnoi refused to list the petition for immediate hearing.