A statement that shook cricket fans and created a political stir, in which former Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Kedar Jadhav strongly predicted that India-Pakistan may never face the Asia Cup 2025. His statements go beyond sports and touch patriotism and principles.

Jadhav’s words come amid a growing chorus of voices cautioning against sporting ties with Pakistan. Echoing earlier remarks from Harbhajan Singh who passionately declared, "blood and water can’t flow together" Jadhav added: “That match should not be played at all. I can say this with confidence... Operation Sindoor is a hit, it is successful.” 

Looking forward, India is scheduled to start the Asia Cup campaign from 9 September, with the much-awaited India-Pakistan high-voltage match in Dubai on 14 September. However, this claim of Jadhav has raised eyebrows and has raised the question whether the events outside the field will dominate the game themselves.

Harbhajan, too, weighed in with an emotionally charged perspective: he emphasized national sacrifice pointing to soldiers at the border whose families endure without them and questioned the importance we assign to cricket in times of crisis. For him, skipping one match pales compared to such sacrifices.

As Asia Cup fever builds, these voices remind us that sport is never just sport. It is entwined with politics, identity, and sentiment especially when the opponent is not just another team, but a neighbour marked by deep, complex ties.