Dubai: Indian cricketers have reportedly been deeply affected by growing boycott calls ahead of the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan match in Asia Cup 2025, prompting former cricketer-turned coach Gautam Gambhir to step in in an attempt to steady nerves and reset focus.
Boycott pressure mounts
The upcoming showdown, scheduled for September 14 at the Dubai International Stadium, has become more than a sporting event. In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025 — which officials allege involved Pakistani-sponsored militants — public outrage in India has intensified.
Online, hashtags like #BoycottINDvPAK and #BoycottAsiaCup have gained traction. Opposition parties, family members of terror victims, and several sections of the public are vocally demanding the game be cancelled.
Players feeling the heat
Sources indicate that several Indian squad members — particularly younger players who are more active on social media — are “shaken” by the negative discourse surrounding the match. Captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill are among those affected.
The pressure has not just been public. It has seeped into team preparations. The article reports that ahead of the match, the players met with Gautam Gambhir and coaching/support staff to manage their mindset and focus.
Gambhir’s role and message
Gambhir, now serving in a coach/advisory capacity, reportedly counselled the team to concentrate on what they can control, and to “separate sports and politics.”
He emphasized that while players are aware of public sentiment, their professional duty is to remain focused on performance on the field rather than external controversy
What is the boycott context
The political overtones are unmistakable. Following the Pahalgam attack, India responded with Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure believed to be linked to Pakistan. The attack remains a flashpoint, with many arguing that participating in the match without addressing the aftermath is tantamount to normalizing relations.
For the players, especially those newer to the international stage, the match carries more than just cricketing consequence—it carries national, moral, and emotional weight.
What this means going forward
As the match time approaches, Indian cricket faces a complex challenge: to deliver performance under heightened expectations and external pressure. The intervention by Gambhir and the team management’s strategy to buffer players suggests a recognition that mental preparedness is as vital as physical readiness in this context.
