🏏🇮🇳🔥 India Boycotts Pakistan Clash in WCL 2025 Semi-Final! Here's Why 👀
- MediaFx
- Jul 30
- 3 min read
🧾 TL;DR India Champions, led by cricket legends like Yuvraj Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, and Harbhajan Singh, are refusing to play the World Championship of Legends (WCL) semi-final against Pakistan on July 31, 2025. The decision comes after an earlier boycott during the league stage due to heightened tensions following a terror attack in Pahalgam. Major sponsor EaseMyTrip has also pulled out, saying “terror and cricket can’t go hand in hand.” If the match gets cancelled, Pakistan might directly move to the finals.
🏏 Full Story: Why India Won’t Play the Semi-Final
From Group Forfeit to Semi-Final Boycott
The tension between India and Pakistan has now spilled into the cricket field. In the league stage of WCL 2025, India Champions had already refused to face Pakistan, and now they've stuck to their decision for the semi-final too. Veterans like #ShikharDhawan, #YuvrajSingh, #HarbhajanSingh, and #IrfanPathan are all backing this call, saying they won’t play the match out of respect for the national mood and emotions following recent tragic events.
Sponsor Also Steps Back
In a strong show of solidarity, EaseMyTrip, which was one of the major sponsors of the India team, has also pulled out of the match. The founder, Nishant Pitti, said clearly: “Terror and cricket cannot go hand in hand.” This has added more pressure on the organisers, who are now scrambling for alternatives.
What Happens Next?
With India refusing to play, there's a high chance that Pakistan will walk directly into the WCL 2025 finals. Based on the group stage performance, Pakistan had a better record, while India just about scraped through due to a higher net run rate compared to England.
Match Details
Scheduled for: July 31, 2025
Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
Match Status: Highly likely to be cancelled
Player Reactions
Shikhar Dhawan, when asked about facing Pakistan in the semis, was visibly upset. He replied,
“You shouldn’t have asked that. I didn’t play earlier and I won’t now either.”
Other players, including Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh, echoed similar sentiments. The decision, they said, was not about cricket, but about standing with the country during a sensitive time.
Why This Boycott Matters
The Pahalgam terror attack, in which many innocent lives were lost, has deeply impacted the Indian public and sporting community. Players feel it’s not just another match – it’s about showing that the pain of ordinary people is more important than entertainment.
This issue isn't just about cricket anymore – it’s about national integrity, people’s emotions, and a call to show that some lines shouldn't be crossed for the sake of the game.
Quick Recap Table
Issue | Detail |
India’s Decision | Refusing to play semi-final vs Pakistan |
Sponsor’s Action | EaseMyTrip pulled out of the match |
Scheduled Match | July 31 at Edgbaston, Birmingham |
Likely Outcome | Pakistan to qualify for final |
Reason for Boycott | Public sentiment after Pahalgam attack |
🗣️ MediaFx Opinion
From a people's perspective, this is the right move. In a time where lives have been lost and the nation is grieving, it's not the time for cricketing rivalries. The legends have done what few dare to – put emotions and public sentiment above the game and money. This isn’t about scoring runs; it’s about standing up for what's right. The working class understands pain, and these players are reflecting that pain in their decision.
💬 What’s your take?
Should sports rise above politics? Or is this boycott the right message? Let us know in the comments!
