Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Sunday questioned the government’s handling of Operation Sindoor and India’s decision to play Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, asking why India would face its “enemy” on the cricket field if ties remain hostile.
Speaking to reporters, Wadettiwar criticised the BJP-led central government for what he described as double standards, especially in light of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and the subsequent Operation Sindoor outreach, which involved seven all-party parliamentary delegations visiting 25 countries to counter Pakistan’s narrative on terrorism.
“Why was this drama done? Why was Operation Sindoor conducted? From where did the terrorists come? Why were they not found after that? By which route did they come, and which route did they go? And when the truth came out that the terrorists were not caught… They sent their delegations to many countries. Now, if Pakistan is our enemy, then why this (Asia Cup match with Pakistan) game?” Wadettiwar said.
Led by senior MPs such as Shashi Tharoor, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Supriya Sule and Baijayant Panda, the Indian delegations met with top officials, parliamentarians and government representatives abroad to press India’s stance on counter-terrorism and gather support.
Officials in some countries reportedly expressed solidarity with India’s fight against terrorism.
Wadettiwar accused the government of misleading the public. “They think something and do something else. This has been their politics… By sending delegations, they have misled the people of the country,” he alleged.
The Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to be hosted in the United Arab Emirates from 9 to 28 September, with eight teams competing — the five full members of the Asian Cricket Council (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka), along with the UAE, Oman and Hong Kong. The event will follow the T20I format.
According to ACC President and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the opener will feature Afghanistan against Hong Kong on 9 September.
India will begin their campaign against the UAE on 10 September, with the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash lined up for 14 September. India’s final group game is against Oman on 19 September.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Four, with the final set for 28 September. India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman have been grouped together, while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong form Group B.
Earlier in the day, Congress leader Pawan Khera took a dig at Union Home Minister Amit Shah following the fixture announcement, asking whether the “boycott gang” would now boycott the Home Minister or watch the match.
“On Kargil Day, the date for the India-Pakistan cricket match has been announced. A few days ago, the Home Minister stated that bombs and talks cannot go together. But cricket can go on because it’s managed by his son. Will the boycott gang now boycott the Home Minister or enjoy the match?” Khera wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also questioned the BCCI for permitting the fixture, calling it a potential government failure if the match proceeds.
“If this match happens then it is not just the failure of the government, it is also the failure of BCCI that on one hand, we remember our armed forces and pay tribute to those who died fighting for the country on Kargil Diwas, and the same day, the Interior Minister of Pakistan, who is the president of PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board), announces that Asia Cup is going to be held in UAE,” Chaturvedi said.
Follow us
