This refers to the Pakistan-India clash in Asia Cup this past Sunday. While Pakistan may have lost the game, what truly hurt the spirit of cricket was not the result, but the unsportsmanlike behaviour of the Indian players afterwards.
Our players went to shake hands, as is the tradition of sportsmanship, but the Indian team chose to stay locked inside their dressing room. Not only this, even their captain, Suryakumar Yadav, openly commented that the victory was a “perfect reply” to Pakistan — a statement loaded with hostility rather than humility. To further worsen matters, Indian players dedicated the win to their armed forces and connected it to the “Pahalgam attack” on social media. Once again, they dragged politics and animosity into what should have remained a celebration of sport.
It is evident that under the coaching of Gautam Gambhir, who himself has always brought political bias into cricketing matters, the Indian team has continued this dangerous trend of mixing cricket with hatred. Instead of fostering goodwill between nations, they are fanning flames of division.
Cricket has always been seen as a bridge between people — a game that unites millions across borders. But when players politicise victories and refuse even the courtesy of a handshake, it is a shameful reflection of their mindset. Rivalry on the field is natural, but hostility off the field is destructive.
The cricketing authorities, both regional and international, must take note of such behaviour. Sports should always remain above politics, and India must learn that victories become hollow when they are dipped in hatred.
Muhammad Rohail Hassan
Karachi
