India Officially Withdraws from Legends World Cup
The Indian team has officially withdrawn from the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 after forfeiting their semi-final match against Pakistan. The decision, which automatically sends Pakistan to the final, is the culmination of a consistent stand taken by the Indian players to boycott matches against their arch-rivals due to ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Principled Stand Backed by Sponsors
The move was driven by the majority of the Indian players, who had also refused to play the group-stage fixture against Pakistan earlier in the tournament. Prominent former cricketers like Shikhar Dhawan and Harbhajan Singh were at the forefront of this boycott. Dhawan had previously stated he would not participate in any matches involving Pakistan.
The team's stance received significant backing off the field. On the eve of the semi-final, one of the Indian team's primary sponsors, EaseMyTrip, publicly pulled its support for the match. In a statement, the company's founder declared that "terror and cricket cannot go hand in hand" and that they could not be associated with an event that attempts to normalize relations with a country that promotes terrorism.
A Contentious End to the Campaign
The situation was further inflamed by comments from former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi, who criticized the boycott and singled out Shikhar Dhawan. This added to the tense atmosphere surrounding the fixture. Ultimately, the Indian team held firm in its decision, informing the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) of their withdrawal. The move brings a controversial and definitive end to India's campaign, highlighting a moment where national sentiment took clear precedence over sport.
