BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar and T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav unveiled India's 15-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in a press conference on Tuesday (August 19).
While certain selection calls prompted explanation from Agarkar and Suryakumar, the duo was also taken aback by a query which had nothing to do with the team picked for the continental showpiece.
Towards the end of the presser, a reporter asked a pointed question about India deciding to play against Pakistan in the eight-team tournament despite the heightened tensions between two tensions since the Pahalgam terror attack and retaliatory Operation Sindoor.
“Looking at this Asia Cup, there is a big game on the 14th, India versus Pakistan. With everything that has happened between the two countries over the last two months, how will you approach that game,” asked the reporter.
Before the journalist could complete his question, the BCCI media manager interrupted, ensuring Agarkar and Suryakumar did not have to answer the query.
“Wait, just wait. If you have a question regarding the team selection, you can ask that,” the media manager said before moving ahead to the next question.
Many fans and experts in India have urged the BCCI to boycott the Pakistan fixture. In the Asia Cup 2025, the arch-rivals might face each other three times, provided both teams make it to the Super 4s and final.
Several MPS have also raised the topic of India playing against Pakistan in the Parliament. However, the BCCI has stayed mum so far, and there has been no clarity regarding why the board is going ahead with playing against Pakistan.
Recently, the organisers of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 had to call off the game between India and Pakistan in the group stage owing to social media backlash. A day before the game, a number of former Indian cricketers pulled out, leading to the organisers taking the hard call.
India Champions then withdrew from the semi-final clash against Pakistan, giving the latter a walk-over into the final.
Coming back to the Asia Cup, India and Pakistan are due to square off in the group stage on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
