Will India Partake in Asia Cup 2025? BCCI Tells

Amid increasing political pressure to pull out of the Asia Cup 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reaffirmed its participation in the continental tournament. Indian media outlets reported on Sunday that the cricket board remains resolute in its stance, having reached the decision after two months of internal consultation, not under any political influence or overnight deliberation.

According to insiders, the BCCI has conveyed to concerned political figures that withdrawing from a prestigious multinational tournament like the Asia Cup could damage India’s global sporting reputation. More critically, it may impact India’s aspirations to host major international events, including bids for the 2036 Olympic Games, the 2030 Commonwealth Games, and the 2032 Youth Olympics.

Cricket Diplomacy vs Political Sentiment

The issue has sparked sharp criticism from several Indian political leaders, particularly over India’s match against Pakistan. Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi took to social media, calling out both the government and BCCI for allowing sports engagement with Pakistan, despite suspended diplomatic and trade relations. She went a step further, urging citizens to “name and shame” sponsors and broadcasters profiting from the marquee India–Pakistan encounter, accusing authorities of “shamelessly” proceeding with the fixture.

However, the BCCI maintains that participating in the Asia Cup falls under a broader commitment to international sporting ethics. The board clarified that while nations can exercise discretion over bilateral ties, opting out of multilateral tournaments, especially on political grounds, undermines the spirit of global sport.

Asia Cup 2025: Format, Groups, and Fixtures

Set in the T20 format, the Asia Cup 2025 is considered a vital preparatory tournament ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The event will feature eight teams across two groups:

Group A: India, Pakistan, UAE, Oman
Group B: Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong

The tournament begins September 9, with Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong. Pakistan’s campaign starts on September 12 against Oman, followed by the high-voltage India clash on September 14. The Super Four stage begins September 20, with the final scheduled for September 28.

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