&w=3840&q=100)
WCL owner breaks silence on India Champions' boycott against Pakistan Champions: 'Where were we wrong?'
World Championship of Legends owner Harshit Tomar broke his silence on the India-Pakistan controversy in the second season this year. Image credit: Instagram/Reuters
Harshit Tomar, owner of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) league, broke his silence on the last-minute cancellation of India-Pakistan fixtures this year following the conclusion of the second season on Saturday in Birmingham.
The second WCL season witnessed the Yuvraj Singh-led India Champions refuse to play Mohammad Hafeez's Pakistan Champions twice – during the group stage as well as in the semi-finals – because of which they failed to defend their title, having beaten their arch-rivals to win the inaugural edition last year. South Africa Champions, led by legendary batter AB de Villiers, would go on to thrash Pakistan Champions by nine wickets at Edgbaston to be crowned winners.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Yuvraj and Co's decision to boycott Pakistan Champions was taken keeping the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and the subsequent military conflict between India and Pakistan in mind. Tomar, however, revealed that the fixtures for the second season had been finalised long back in December, and that it was always going to be tricking changing things in the last minute following the recent events in the Indian subcontinent.
More from First Cricket
AB de Villiers finally wins a trophy as South Africa Champions crush Pakistan in WCL final - WATCH
Also Read | Suresh Raina takes a brutal dig at Pakistan after SA Champions clinch WCL title
'We are going ahead with the tournament in England, which means that everything was taken care of 8-10 months in advance. Our schedule was revealed in December. The Champions Trophy was played in February. Players from both India and Pakistan met there, and government officials from both contingents also met each other,' Tomar told news anchor Shubhankar Mishra on the latter's YouTube channel.
'I cannot express my sadness at what happened in Pahalgam. We supported Operation Sindoor. The war happened, and then it was stopped. Then, the sports between the two countries started to get normal. We weren't the first ones to hold the match between India and Pakistan. Meanwhile, we approached the England and Wales Cricket Board, informing them about the geopolitical situation between the two countries. After having a long conversation with the ECB and authorities, they said 'This is good to go,' he added.
India, Pakistan also set to meet in Asia Cup, Women's T20 World Cup, says WCL owner
Tomar added that WCL isn't the only sports organisation having Indo-Pak cricket fixtures in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, with the two arch-rivals set to face each other in next month's ACC Men's Asia Cup as well as in the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
'The Women's World Cup is soon going to happen. India will take on Pakistan there. Asia Cup chatter is also there. You tell me, where were we wrong in wanting to go ahead with the match? It was next to impossible for me to change things at the last minute. I just had the option of not going ahead with the tournament this year,' he added.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Also Read | PCB responds to India Champions' boycott in WCL, bans the use of name 'Pakistan' in private leagues
Pakistan has long been accused of being a safe haven for terror groups and using them to wage a proxy war against fellow nuclear power India, with New Delhi pinning the blame for the Pahalgam attack on Islamabad.
New Delhi responded with military action against their neighbours, launching 'Operation Sindoor' in which it targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir before shifting its attention to the country's air defence and radar system as well as air bases.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
4 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
'2-2, things could've been different': Sachin Tendulkar's bold verdict on Shubman Gill's captaincy in England series
India batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, on Tuesday, shared his verdict on Shubman Gill's captaincy during the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, where India held England to a 2-2 draw in the gruelling five-match series. It was Gill's first assignment as India's Test captain, following Rohit Sharma's retirement from the format in May, just weeks before the squad was announced for the tour. India drew the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series 2-2 against England Speaking in a video on Reddit, where he analysed various aspects of the series, Tendulkar said that while the result could have gone differently, he felt Gill did well in his debut captaincy stint. "All in all, a fantastic result. 2-2, things could've been different, but there are no ifs and buts in cricket," said Tendulkar. The former India batter also highlighted how Gill constantly searched for ideas, tweaking his plans each time England built a solid partnership. He noted that Gill remained calm and composed under pressure. "Captaincy has a lot to do with how the bowlers are bowling, how disciplined they are and how long they can persist with their plans," said Tendulkar. "Sometimes what happens is that if things are not going the bowlers' way, they start experimenting. That is when the captain feels that the fielders he has on the ground is not enough, he needs more, because runs will be coming from everywhere. "He still looked calm and composed, but when partnerships happen, it becomes difficult for any captain, and the priority becomes to dry their runs." Overall, Tendulkar was impressed with how Gill silenced Bazball throughout the series and denied them a win at home. "Overall I felt he controlled the team well. There were areas things could've been different but, everyone has their opinion. This was his first series and possibly against the most attacking side in Test cricket. I don't think any other team bats the way this England side does," he said. Tendulkar also analysed Gill the batter, who went on to score 754 runs in 10 innings across the series - the most by an Indian captain in a single Test series in history and the second-most after Don Bradman's 801 against Australia at home in 1937. "Shubman batted brilliantly throughout the series, he looked calm and composed, organised," said Tendulkar. "When it comes to quality batting, you've got to have a clear head and a game plan. And he was extemely consistent as far as his thought process is concerned because it reflects on your footwork. If you are not clear in your head, your body doesn't respond accordingly. His body responded brilliantly, he looked so much control he had so much time to play the ball. "There was precision in his footwork. The most important thing that I noticed was the respect to a good ball. Where the tendency sometimes is to push the ball on your front foot even if the ball is not near your foot, he was able to defend there. And consistently defend well on front foot. His ability to leave was very good. Overall, shot selection was very, very good and precise."
Hindustan Times
6 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
BCCI to have 'honest conversations' with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma; 2027 World Cup uncertain: 'Both will be pushing 40'
When Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their retirements from T20I cricket together shortly after India won the T20 World Cup last year, many felt it was a conscious call to stretch their Tests and ODI careers. Then, a couple of months ago, when both called time on their Test careers – within a span of five days – it was believed that they took the decision to ensure they are fit and ready for the 2027 World Cup – the only limited-overs ICC tournament they have yet to win together. However, it now seems that the road to the World Cup in South Africa in two years' time is easier said than done. With the Indian team transitioning and transitioning quickly in Tests, the same pattern may apply to the ODI fold as well. This means that with more youngsters stepping up, it is far from given that Kohli and Rohit will feature in the World Cup. Virat Kohli, left, and Rohit Sharma no longer have the long rope(AFP) The year 2023 would have been the perfect setting for Kohli to win the ODI World Cup for a second time and for Rohit to win his first. However, the disappointing result – losing to Australia – in the final has left behind an unfulfilled dream for two of Indian cricket's biggest stalwarts. A recent Cricbuzz report stated that Rohit is going full throttle to ensure he is fit and in shape for the next World Cup, whereas Kohli confirmed that his next big goal is to win the World Cup during an RCB event, which took place just before the start of IPL 2025. But the BCCI, it seems, has different plans. Rohit and Kohli are no longer certainties for the World Cup, and the decision-makers are set to discuss their future with them. "Yes, it will be discussed soon. We still have more than two years for the next World Cup (November 2027). Both Kohli and Rohit will be pushing 40 by then, so there has to be a clear plan ahead for the big event as our last win was in 2011. We also need to try out a few youngsters in time," a source told PTI. How many ODIs between now and the World Cup? Besides age, a huge factor that may prove to be an obstacle for Kohli and Rohit is the limited amount of game time. Until the end of 2026, India is scheduled to play 27 ODIs scattered between Tests and T20I series, and with Kohli and Rohit playing sporadically, and only in ODIs, could prevent them from finding their groove fully. The next time an Indian Playing XI would feature Kohli and Rohit in their Playing XI is in October, when India tour Australia for three ODIs and five T20Is. Once that's over, India play three ODIs against South Africa in November and three more against New Zealand in November-December. This gap may not be too long, but for cricketers who are at the wrong end of their 30s, it isn't the most ideal scenario to be in. The decision to play the 2027 World Cup won't be forced – neither from the BCCI nor from Kohli and Rohit. At the end of the day, a final call will be taken after considering whether the two still find a place in India's ODI scheme of things. "Look, both Kohli and Rohit have made huge contributions to white ball cricket for the team and the sport in general. They have achieved almost everything. So, I don't think anybody is going to force their hand, but there will be some honest and professional conversations before the next ODI cycle starts to see where they stand mentally and physically. It depends on that," the source added.
Hindustan Times
6 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
'Bumrah didn't win a Test. Siraj likes being a leader…': Indian pacers get contrasting reviews after England series
Former Australian cricketer Brad Haddin delivered an honest assessment of India's 2-2 series draw against England as he suggested that the current team has proved that it can play with Jasprit Bumrah. In the high-voltage five-match Test series, India won at Edgbaston and the Oval, notably on both occasions, Bumrah was rested for workload management. In his absence, Mohammed Siraj stepped on occasions and powered India to crucial wins with his lion-hearted effort with the ball. He turned the tide at the Oval with his five-wicket haul as India emerged victorious by 6 runs to level the series. Mohammed Siraj led the Indian pace attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah at the Oval.(PTI) Bumrah played three Tests in the series, and he claimed 14 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls, while Siraj, who took part in all matches, finished as the highest wicket-taker with 23 scalps. Haddin stated that Bumrah didn't win any Test matches for India on the England tour. "India, they can take a lot out (this) that they can still play without Bumrah. His life goes on if the other bowlers find a way. They have got so much talent over there in India. But he didn't win a Test match," Haddin said on YouTube channel LiSTNR Sport. Meanwhile, the former Aussie wicketkeeper heaped massive praise on Siraj for leading the attack in Bumrah's absence. He remarked that Siraj relishes the big stage and thrives when the pressure is at its peak. "I think Siraj likes being the leader of the attack. He is one of those guys that he wants the ball in big situations. Yes, he makes mistakes, but he doesn't shy away from wanting the occasion. If you have players like that who aren't afraid to make mistakes, who can get under the skin of opposition because of the way that they want to be in the game, they are the guys you want," He added. 'No way in the world Siraj didn't want to bowl every over' Siraj picked up three wickets on Day 5 at the Oval when India needed four wickets to win as Haddin emphasised how he wanted to bowl every over to help his team win the match. "He wanted the ball in that last hour of play. There's no way in the world he didn't want to bowl every over to win the game. He dropped the catch. That's a bad miss, your details got to be better there when you are catching that. But that also didn't define him by the Test match. We are not going to talk about that catch now," he concluded.
