Asia Cup 2025: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma shockingly blamed for low ticket sales

The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 is not creating the usual buzz, and former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has blamed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. India is all set to lock horns against Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai.

But some reports claimed that the tickets for this much-awaited India vs Pakistan clash are still unsold. While many felt the ticket price was the reason behind the lack of interest among the fans, Chopra believes that the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is affecting ticket sales.

India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match faces low ticket sales

Both players are huge attractions for fans, and their absence has been felt in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. Notably, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have both already retired from T20I cricket after winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and Test cricket as well, earlier this year in May.

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Chopra explained that Kohli and Rohit are unmatched when it comes to pulling crowds. The former Indian batter recalled how even when the former Indian captain played in a Ranji Trophy match for Delhi, fans flocked to the Arun Jaitley Stadium in large numbers earlier this year.

Aakash Chopra said in his latest video uploaded on his YouTube channel on September 12: “When Virat Kohli went to play a Ranji Trophy match, even then the stadium almost filled up. Their absence is one of the big reasons why tickets are not getting filled.”

Aakash Chopra blames Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the weak crowd at the Asia Cup 2025

Despite matches involving India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan being played in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 already, no stadium has reached full capacity so far, and Chopra blamed the absence of the crowd-pullers, saying the fans lost the motivation to watch the tournament.

The commentator has further explained that if Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were playing, attendance could easily double or even triple in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE.

Chopra signed off by saying, “If they were present, the turnout could have been double. Hypothetically, if 5,000 people came earlier, at least 10,000 to 15,000 would have come to watch if Rohit and Kohli were there. They rarely get the chance to see them in person, so their absence is significant.”

Even the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has reportedly cut ticket prices to attract more fans to the stadium. Standard tickets, which were originally 475 dirhams (around ₹11,420), have now been reduced to 350 dirhams (around ₹8,415). Nearly 50 percent of the seats are available for the India vs Pakistan game on Sunday.

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PBKS stir drama ahead of India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Match

The build-up to the India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025 has been filled with drama and controversy. Political tensions after the Pahalgam attack have led to calls for the boycott of the game, with a petition for urgent Supreme Court intervention denied.

Adding fuel to the fire, the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS) avoided naming Pakistan in their match announcement on social media, sparking massive outrage. Fan reactions became so intense that comments had to be disabled on their X page.

Game 2️⃣ for the defending champions. Let's goooo 💪#AsiaCup2025 #INDv pic.twitter.com/BgeoRfJjMo

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) September 11, 2025