Sourav Ganguly shockingly supports India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 clash amid boycott calls

Former India National Cricket Team captain and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President, Sourav Ganguly, has shockingly backed the India-Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025.

Sourav Ganguly has dropped the controversial statement on the match amid calls for India to boycott the game against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025.

Also Read: BCCI 'hell-bent' on sacking Gautam Gambhir's support staff; Ajit Agarkar’s job at risk

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

India and Pakistan set to clash on September 14

In April 2025, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killed 26 civilians.

India found Pakistan links in the attack and launched Operation Sindoor to destroy the militant facilities in Pakistan, leading to reciprocal attacks, drone warfare, and intense fighting. Diplomatic relations collapsed quickly, but a ceasefire was reached on May 10, aided by international mediation.

After the incident, there were serious doubts over the Asia Cup 2025, but at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in Dhaka, the decision was made to conduct to competition, with both India and Pakistan participating in it.

On Saturday, July 26, the complete schedule was also announced for the Asia Cup 2025. The BCCI-hosted continental tournament will be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28.

India and Pakistan are placed in the same group along with UAE and Oman, and the arch-rivals will clash on September 14 in Dubai. There can be as many as three matches between India and Pakistan if the teams progress further in the competition.

The sport must go on - Sourav Ganguly

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has faced severe criticism after giving the green light to the India vs Pakistan clash in the wake of the attack.

However, Sourav Ganguly isn't among the people slamming the BCCI; instead, he has backed the India vs Pakistan clash. Sourav Ganguly said that he is 'okay' with the India-Pakistan match and felt that the sport must go on, but the terrorism must stop.

"I am okay. The sport must go on. At the same time, Pahalgam should not happen, but the sport must go on. Terrorism must not happen; it needs to be stopped. India took a strong stance towards terrorism... Sport needs to be played," Ganguly told ANI.

#WATCH | Kolkata: On India-Pakistan placed in the same group in the Asia Cup, former Indian cricketer Saurav Ganguly says, "I am okay. The sport must go on. At the same time Pahalgam should not happen, but the sport must go on. Terrorism must not happen; it needs to be stopped.… pic.twitter.com/Qrs17KOKrN

— ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2025

It's time Sourav Ganguly takes over the Indian team - Ex-cricket administrator

Recently, Makarand Waingankar, an ex-cricket administrator who worked in various positions in Indian cricket, backed the inclusion of Sourav Ganguly in the Indian coaching set-up.

Waingankar stated that the Gautam Gambhir-led support staff, as well as selectors, should be sacked if India lose the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, and Ganguly should be brought at the helm to take Indian cricket forward. He stated:

"It's time Sourav Ganguly takes over the Indian team. After the match fixing controversy it was Ganguly who changed the face of Indian cricket. Indian cricket is in a terrible mess. If India loses this series coaching staff, selectors should be sacked. Dada Ganguly must take over."

It's time Sourav Ganguly takes over the Indian team. After the match fixing controversy it was Ganguly who changed the face of Indian cricket. Indian cricket is in a terrible mess. If India loses this series coaching staff, selectors should be sacked. Dada Ganguly must take over

— Makarand Waingankar (@wmakarand) July 26, 2025