Harbhajan Singh on India vs Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025: “For Me, This Price Is Very Small”

With the Asia Cup 2025 set to begin on September 9, anticipation is building for the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan scheduled for September 14. However, former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has stirred debate with his strong comments on whether Team India should play this match. The cricket veteran has even urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to reconsider.

Harbhajan Singh’s Strong Stand

Speaking to The Times of India, Harbhajan said that in his view, cricket takes a back seat when compared to the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers at the border.

“They should understand what is important and what is not. For me, the jawans standing at the border, their families who often cannot see them, the soldiers who get martyred and never return — their sacrifice is far greater than any cricket match. This is a very small price to pay.

Our government has also said that blood and water cannot flow together. If there is fighting on the border and tension between two countries, how can we go and play a cricket match with them?”

Harbhajan stressed that until major issues between the two countries are resolved, cricket should not be a priority. “Country always comes first — whether we are players, actors, or anyone else. Not playing a cricket match is nothing compared to the bravery of our brothers protecting the nation,” he added.

The Context Behind His Statement

On April 22, 2025, a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, allegedly linked to Pakistan, claimed several innocent lives. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting multiple locations in Pakistan. The attack deeply angered many former cricketers, including members of the India Champions team in the World Championship of Legends 2025.

In protest, Yuvraj Singh and his teammates refused to play against Pakistan Champions both in the league stage and later in the semi-finals. This decision upset the Pakistani side, but Indian players stood firm.

Harbhajan Singh’s recent statement is seen as a continuation of this stand, with several other cricket veterans echoing his call to put national interest above the sport.

Asia Cup 2025 in Spotlight

With the India-Pakistan match only weeks away, the BCCI faces growing public and player sentiment questioning whether the game should go ahead. As of now, the fixture remains on the schedule, but Harbhajan’s comments have reignited debate over cricketing ties between the two nations amid ongoing tensions.