WCL: India Boycott Pakistan Clash, Should Rivalry Exist? First Sports With Rupha Ramani
India V Pakistan is cricket's biggest rivalry, but should it even happen anymore? After the horrific Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, public sentiment in India is crystal clear: no ties, no matches, no sports diplomacy with Pakistan. Yet, despite the outrage, the Asia Cup 2024 still features the high-voltage clash. So, why is BCCI going ahead? Is it about money, contracts, or just being stuck in a system? Players from the World Championship of Legends set a bold example by refusing to face Pakistan in the semifinal. Rupha Ramani explores how other nations like Russia V Ukraine, Iran V Israel, and North V South Korea have taken firm geopolitical stands in sports. But when the stakes are about terrorism, is a cricket match ever just a game?
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Hindustan Times
21 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
'No risk' to India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 clash despite WCL tension: 'It can't be compared to a private tournament'
The Men's Asia Cup is around the corner. The eight-team tournament will begin on September 9, 2025. Arch-rivals India and Pakistan can potentially play each other on three occasions, provided the two teams qualify for the Super 4s and then the final. Both India and Pakistan have been clubbed in Group A. The group stage match is scheduled for September 14 at the Dubai International Stadium. India could likely face Pakistan three times in Asia Cup 2025 Ahead of the upcoming marquee contest, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) clarified that the much-awaited match is risk-free, saying the Asia Cup cannot be compared to a tournament like the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. Ever since the schedule for the tournament has been announced, the BCCI is in the centre of a huge storm as calls are growing asking the Indian board to boycott the games against Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent Operation Sindoor. Recently, former Indian players faced a lot of backlash after the match between the Indian champions and the Pakistan Champions in WCL 2025 was announced. The social media chatter resulted in Shikhar Dhawan, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan and Harbhajan Singh pulling out of the contest. Eventually, the organisers had to cancel the game. India Champions then also refused to play against Pakistan in the semi-final, resulting in the latter's direct qualification into the final. They eventually faced a defeat against South Africa Champions, led by AB de Villiers. Also Read: Shubman Gill to lead North Zone in Duleep Trophy after England show; selectors keep door open for Asia Cup selection 'While I cannot give a formal guarantee, there is no risk of Pakistan and India not playing. The Asia Cup cannot be compared to private tournaments like the World Championship of Legends, where India refused to play against Pakistan in both the league stage and semi-final,' the ECB COO Subhan Ahmed was quoted as saying by Pakistan Observer. When will the Men's Asia Cup take place? The schedule for the Men's Asia Cup has been announced. The tournament will take place from September 9to 28 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. India will play its first match on September 10 against the UAE. The final will be played at the Dubai International Stadium on September 28. Group A comprises India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, while Group B includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. The 2025 edition of the tournament will be played in the T20 format, helping all the teams prepare for the T20 World Cup in 2026, set to be played in India and Sri Lanka.
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First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
'Nice to see Indian players have belief and faith': Anjum Chopra on Indian women's team's very successful tour of England
There's no doubt that the 2-2 scoreline in the men's Test series between India and England actually feels like a series triumph for most Indian fans, because of the way the last two Tests at Old Trafford and the Oval panned out. There is indeed a lot to celebrate and also to reflect on. But we have to ask ourselves – because of the men's Test series that was on over 5 Tests, did we forget to properly celebrate the achievements of the Indian women's cricket team in England this time? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Indian team clinched a historic series win in the T20I series (3-2) and then a 2-1 win in the ODIs. Going into this tour of England, the Indian women's team had lost all six of their away bilateral T20I series vs England, which featured more than one match. Suffice to say, the way the Indian team led by Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored a magnificent century (102) in the third ODI, conducted themselves was a joy to watch and celebrate. Former India captain Anjum Chopra was one of the pioneers who shaped Indian women's cricket. Anjum, who made her India debut in February 1995, played a lot of her cricket in the pre-BCCI days (BCCI took over management of the Indian women's cricket team in a merger with the Women's Cricket Association of India in November 2006) and has seen the women's game in the country change, develop, evolve and be re-shaped over the decades. For Anjum, the most heartening thing to see this time in England was the way the Indian players believed in themselves and their own abilities and skill-sets. In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Anjum, who scored over 3600 international runs and had a fantastic international career that spanned 17 years, talks about the big highlights of the Indian women's team's very successful tour of England this time and analyses in detail all the things that went right and also everything that the team still needs to work on. Anjum also talks about the specific growth of individual players and also what some of them need to work on more. India are the co-hosts, along with Sri Lanka, of the next edition of the ICC Women's ODI World Cup, which will be played from September 30 to November 2 this year. The Indian team will, in fact, be playing ODIs next only in this tournament. In the run-up to this mega event, this immensely successful tour will no doubt be a huge shot in the arm for the Indian team. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is Part 1 of an exclusive interview with Anjum Chopra on Indian women's cricket in which she decodes the tour of England and India's wins in both the T20I and ODI series. An incredibly successful tour of England for the Indian women's team this time, winning in both the T20I and the ODI series. Must be a big shot in the arm for the team, especially with a women's ODI World Cup around the corner, in India and Sri Lanka. Let's talk about the ODI series first. Your take on how things came together for the team in this series, particularly in the third match, where the team put up a score of 300 plus… Anjum: It was really so nice to see the Indian players have belief and faith in their own abilities. When they (India) won the first match (by 4 wickets, chasing down 259 successfully) and things started working for them, it was nice to see a good, collective performance from the team in that first game. Then they went to Lord's (for the second ODI, which India lost by 8 wickets by the DLS Method) and I felt that they were a bit overawed by the ground, which happens to some cricketers. The moment you step onto Lord's, you feel – 'oh, this is more than just a cricket ground'. So, especially for the players who hadn't played there before or even those who haven't played a lot of cricket at Lord's, the ground can be a bit more imposing than some other venues. You could tell by the way Deepti Sharma played (experienced at playing at Lord's), because she has played 10-11 times (before) at that venue, she has been part of the Hundred team as well (London Spirit Women who won their maiden Women's Hundred title in 2024, clinching the final at Lord's vs Welsh Fire Women). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So, how Deepti absorbed the pressure and played as a batter or as a bowler vis-à-vis others – there was a stark difference in the approach. The highlight for me was Harmanpreet Kaur scoring the hundred (102 off 84 in the third ODI to be declared Player of the Match). A century, of course, always means a lot, but this one was an important one, according to me, because it was a chanceless knock. Also, the mindset she came in with – the fact that she wanted to score her runs in the V and down the ground and not behind square, even though the wicket was slightly slow. But she was not keen on playing the paddle-sweeps or deft touches to the short-third or short-fine regions. She was keen on playing shots in front of the wicket, which was a really heartening thing to see. Also, she didn't lose her concentration when she entered her fifties or seventies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She did pick up a niggle and had to be attended to, but she didn't lose her focus. That told me that there was consistency and also a certain kind of adaptability – to switch from the T20 format to a longer format – which is not an easy thing to do. But we have seen that happen more often in the women's team. They are now more aware of that and more realistic about how to approach that change (in formats). For Harman to come in at this age and at this point in her career and make such a strong statement for herself, and not for anybody else – that is important. There is a vast difference between Jemimah scoring a century at this time and Harman scoring a century. And then (for India) to come back and defend the target – I felt that England didn't have the same kind of skill or temperament that India had, when they were chasing (in the first ODI) and that is where I think they (England) lost. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Harmanpreet Kaur smashed 102 as India won the final ODI against England to clinch the series 2-1. Image: BCCI Nat Sciver-Brunt (England captain, scored 98 in the 3rd ODI in a losing cause) can't always take them home alone. She has done it many times before, but she also needs support. Then the way Kranti Goud picked up those six wickets (6/52 in the 3rd ODI) was fantastic to see. I still feel, though, that there are areas that India need to improve on. For one, they can't play with one seamer and four spinners – that cannot be a bowling attack. They went ahead with that combination and won, so you can't really question it, as such. Had they lost, people would have come down much more heavily on that selection call. But it's not about just asking a question for the sake of asking questions. I have been vocal about this. You need 5-6 good bowlers. You can't have a Charani or a Kranti Goud bowling as frontline bowlers. It worked this time, but it's not something we should be relying on every time. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD You need experience and you need a little more variety. Maybe the mindset of the team was to try and give everyone a feel of international cricket. I can understand that perspective. This team doesn't play 40-45 ODIs a year, they play somewhere around 10-11 ODIs every year, so the exposure that is needed and the awareness that is needed of understanding their game and the sport overall, that comes slightly slower than the men's team. Maturity takes a bit longer to set in. One thing that you talked about a fair bit, about the women's team, when we last spoke, was consistency. You, very rightly, emphasised the importance of consistency in international cricket. Now, for someone watching from the outside, the way this team won the T20I series and then the ODI series, this might be taken as a classic example of consistent cricket and that too in foreign conditions. As someone who sees and reads the game as a player and an expert, what is your take on that… STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Anjum: It's really great that the Indian team managed to win both series. Had they lost the One Day series, that would have been disappointing, because there is a World Cup coming up and also you felt that woman for woman, India had a better chance of winning the ODI series. The fact that they did manage to win it means that their confidence levels will be much higher. As far as consistency is concerned, I will say that it was great to see the team win the T20I series 3-2 and then the ODI series 2-1, because England is a World Champion team. India has never won a World Cup, but England has (4 ODI World Cup titles and 1 T20 World Cup title). This was a series played in England's own backyard and these were scorelines that will be acceptable, any day. This was not a one-sided contest. Earlier, in situations where the Indian team was playing a higher-ranked, more competitive team, the team often didn't have the answers or the depth to soak in the pressure and bounce back hard. They have always had depth in the batting department, but this time they really showcased it. The individual performances – Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, Amanjot Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol – all of them scoring runs – that is the depth that they managed to showcase this time. Every game, there was somebody or the other who stepped up to the plate. In the bowling department, even though I don't think this is the ideal bowling combination, individual bowlers played their part – Sneh Rana, Deepti Sharma, Kranti Goud as a youngster making her debut in England, picked up wickets and was very confident of her abilities. This tour gave us glimpses of the path that the team wants to follow and how they are going to go about it. For ages, the team has been 'working hard in the camps' – that is a standard thing that we always get to hear. For ages, we have been 'improving our fitness and fielding' – that is not something that is new. But how favourable results were achieved this time – that is something new. Kranti Goud took six wickets in the ODI series decider. Image: BCCI It's not just about the words from the Indian captain, but the results that the captain has managed to walk away with. That is a big positive for me. Winning a series always keeps you in that positive frame of mind that 'we are not shying away from something different. We know that we are backing our strengths'. So, at least the confidence in their self-ability is there. And that stems from the fact that you have been consistent individually in your performances. Let's talk about the T20I series now in a bit more detail. That was a historic series win for the Indian team - their first against this opposition - that too on English soil - We have spoken in the past about the areas of improvement in the women's team - your take on what you saw in the T20I series and what impressed you the most… Anjum: The thing that stood out the most for me in the T20I and ODI series was the fact that the self-belief that individual Indian players have in their own skill-sets has gone up. In the past, it was a collective Indian team going and competing against an opposition (individual brilliance and self-belief, as such, was missing). Of course, they are collectively competing (as a team), but what I have noticed on this particular tour is that individually also they have also improved their game. And that is the biggest growth in Indian women's cricket, in totality, for me. It has been a very conscious step-up – a move by the entire team towards getting the results. Individual players have begun to believe in their skill sets and, of course, they have worked towards that. For example, for a Smriti Mandhana to get a hundred (112 off 62 balls in the first T20I vs England, which India won by 97 runs) and not getting out in the 80s and 90s. Yes, she was dropped when she was on 3 or 4 and then there was another chance as well, so I won't say that it was a chanceless knock, but the thing we should focus on is that she (Smriti) didn't get out in the 80s or 90s and realised how she could get from 80 to 100 or 90 to 100. Even though she has been around for over a decade for the Indian team, this has been a growth for her own skill level, which we saw in the first T20I. In the second T20I, India were about 3 down when the partnership between Jemimah (Rodrigues) and Amanjot (Kaur) was forged (93-run stand). Jemimah, of course, played very well, up and down that batting order. But for her to have that kind of a partnership with Amanjot and for both players to have that belief - 'yes, we can hang around' and also for Amanjot to play that kind of a knock, even after Jemimah got out, was significant for me. That is because if I look at the individual stories of Jemimah Rodrigues and Amanjot Kaur, I realise that individual players have grown independently. Could you elaborate on that a bit more? The growth that the cricket analyst in you saw in individual Indian women's team players, on this tour of England… Anjum: Jemimah, we know can bat up and down that batting order, but she has to be consistent, because there is a Harleen Deol, who has batted very well. So, for Jemimah, it boils down to how she is batting to keep her place in the side and how she counters the situations she finds herself in, individually and independently. So, I saw that growth in Jemimah. For Amanjot, I realised that playing against international bowlers in England - a country she is touring for the first time – and the fact that though she has been around, she is not vastly experienced. But for her to play every ball on its merit, to hit the ball over the mid-off fielder and get a boundary or place the ball well and run a couple of runs – I saw that growth in Amanjot. Then, in the third game, which India lost, someone like Radha Yadav was trying her best in the fielding department to prove her worth. And in the fourth match (T20I) she (left-arm spinner Radha Yadav) received the Player of the Match award (2/15). The last game, they (India) should have won. Jemimah Rodrigues has emerged as one of the most reliable players for India. Image: BCCI Then there's someone like Deepti Sharma – in the ODIs. Earlier, if the team was 2 or 3 down that meant it was all over. Game finished. 120-130 all out in a T20I game or 205-215 all out in an ODI game, or unable to chase down a target. Team India has faced these scenarios in the past. But how the T20I series was won – it showed a shift in overall performance – where individual players and the way they performed, as individuals is what made the biggest difference. Also, I don't think that England played very well. Their bowlers were poor and the Indian players capitalised on that. The biggest highlight for me on this tour was the belief that the Indian players showed in their own abilities. The Indian spinners really led from the front, in the T20I series in particular. The top three wicket-takers of the series were all Indian and all spinners - Shree, Deepti and Radha. Your take on their performance and what it means specifically for this team going ahead, especially with an ODI World Cup coming up in home conditions in just over a month's time… Anjum: I feel spinners will play a big role, but I also feel that, at the end of the day, we need six bowlers to provide solidity. The growth that we saw in Shree Charani (left-arm spinner), performing the way she did I think has been very impressive I observed how she bowled in different phases of the game, how she varied her pace, how skillful she has turned out to be – and doing all that in a foreign land is not easy, irrespective of who the player is and how experienced he or she is – it's never easy. So, I felt that that growth in this generation has happened and she (Shree Charani) has learnt how to hold her nerve in a difficult situation. Shree Charani for me is a big asset, just like I thought that Amanjot (Kaur) is a big asset. Shree shows great promise and I have been very impressed with her performances in the T20I series (top wicket-taker in the T20I series with 10 wickets). And performing in England will hold her in good stead, of course. I also wanted to quickly discuss the batters. The two highest run-getters in the T20I series were again both Indian - Smriti top scored with a total of 221 runs and an average of over 44 followed by Shafali. The first match of course saw Smriti scoring her maiden T20I century, as India beat England by a record 97 runs at Trent Bridge - England's heaviest T20I defeat by runs. Let's talk about Smriti. An opener's role is so very crucial in the limited-overs formats. You have seen Smriti from the time she was a very young cricketer. Your take on the evolution of the current Indian vice-captain as a batter… Anjum: She has always been a very talented cricketer. I have seen very few people who have not changed their stance (at all, as such). Her stance, from the time I saw her first, the way she stands in the crease, the way she shuffles or has a trigger movement – that has not changed. Which is a great thing. She has played that same role (in the team) over the years. Her bottom hand is not dominating or her top hand is firm, her balance is the same. You see some small changes creep into a batter's game over the years. But then there are others. We have, for instance, seen Sachin Tendulkar have the same stance, very little trigger movement, right through his career. And that is one thing that I have seen in Smriti. Which is great. When I look at players like Smriti or Harman, or Deepti or Jemimah – I am looking at people who have such immense talent and the ability to become World Champions. And that makes me reflect and ask myself the question – 'have they done justice to that talent?' Smriti made her debut in 2013, as a U-19 cricketer, or Deepti, who is from the same era – and how much cricket have they already played – international cricket, international tours, franchise cricket. When I compare these players, I will compare them with players like Laura Wolvaardt (SA), Beth Mooney (Aus) etc. How much have these players improved (since they started playing) compared to players like Deepti or Smriti? From where I stand, I think Smriti alone has the talent to be a world-beater consistently. Smriti Mandhana celebrates after completing her century in the first T20I against England in Nottingham. Image: AP As far as I am concerned, consistency has to be taken very seriously. We spoke about how good her (Smriti's) century was in the first T20I and India won, but look at the other four matches (scores of 13, 56, 32 & 8) and how she got out. If you look at a Virat Kohli or a Rohit Sharma, when they have scored a hundred, look at the scores that followed. We saw Yashasvi Jaiswal score back-to-back hundreds (consecutive double centuries vs England in Tests at home in 2024), KL Rahul scored back-to-back fifties. There has to be consistency and that is the next level, in terms of growth, that the Indian team has to target. Players who have played more than 100 matches – they travel across the world, play on international grounds, they are (consistently) on the move throughout the year. In our time, we would pack one suitcase. Our break was going for a meal somewhere. The players these days - their exposure compared to our time is greater, the awareness is greater, so the growth also needs to be greater. Someone like Harmanpreet learnt the art of winning matches at the age of 30. These (younger) players should have, of course, learnt it by now already. I am probably setting a very high benchmark and they are working towards it also, but that is the kind of growth I would imagine these players to have or should have had. They will eventually get there, but at this age – this is your oyster – there will be dips in form, then you will come back. There will be thoughts about who next, etc. But this is their time and it will not come back for anyone. As a woman, you introspect and ask yourself – 'ok, so, what about the next 4-5 years? Where can I reach in that timeframe?'
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Asia Cup 2025: Is India vs Pakistan under threat? UAE cricket board's COO provides clarity
India are set to play against Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup in September (Image via IANS) The Emirates Cricket Board's COO Subhan Ahmed has assured that India and Pakistan will likely face each other in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, despite recent tensions. This comes after India Champions refused to play against Pakistan Champions in two World Championship of Legends (WCL) matches following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. "While I cannot give a formal guarantee, there is no risk of Pakistan and India not playing. The Asia Cup cannot be compared to private tournaments like the World Championship of Legends, where India refused to play against Pakistan in both the league stage and semi-final," Ahmed told reporters. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The 2025 Men's T20 Asia Cup is set to take place from September 9 to 28 , with Dubai and Abu Dhabi serving as host cities. Dubai will host 11 matches, including the tournament final, while Abu Dhabi will host eight games. India's schedule includes matches against UAE and Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 10 and 14, respectively. They will also face Oman at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on September 19. The tournament schedule suggests multiple opportunities for India-Pakistan encounters, as the teams could potentially meet again in the Super 4s stage and the final. This comes at a time when cricket relations between the two nations have been strained due to the April terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
