Shikhar Dhawan’s decision to boycott the India vs Pakistan matches in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 was rooted in personal conviction and a sense of national solidarity, rather than any external coercion or directive.
Shikhar Dhawan explains his decision to boycott matches against Pakistan
After the tragic Pahalgam terror attack in April, emotions ran high across India, with widespread public outrage at the idea of engaging in a cricket match—albeit among retired players—against Pakistan. The backlash online was immediate and intense when the group stage India vs Pakistan fixture was scheduled for June 20. In the face of this sentiment, Dhawan, alongside several fellow Indian legends like Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina, announced their withdrawal from the match. The game was subsequently canceled by the WCL organizers, who apologized to the Indian players for “unintentionally causing discomfort.”
The controversy did not end there. Fate once again pitted India against Pakistan in the semifinals, but the Indian squad, led in part by Dhawan’s defiant stand, again refused to play. As before, the match was called off, and Pakistan advanced to the final by default. The events raised questions in the media and among fans: Was the boycott an outcome of directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or government authorities? Rumours also swirled about pressure from sponsors and cricket administrators.
“My country means everything to me, and nothing is above the nation”: Dhawan
In a recent interview, Dhawan set the record straight. He affirmed, “I was personally against playing the match against Pakistan, and it was a conscious decision I took. Some of the others, including Bhajji paa (Harbhajan Singh), also chose not to participate in that particular game.” Dhawan emphasized, “There was no pressure from anyone. Some of us were simply not comfortable playing against Pakistan, and we didn’t see any compelling reason to go ahead and take part in the game.” He stressed that for him, the nation comes first: “My country means everything to me, and nothing is above the nation.” These remarks make clear that the boycott stemmed from the collective conscience of the players, many of whom were emotionally impacted by the Pahalgam attack and felt that playing could send the wrong message.
Dhawan’s stance was echoed by other senior Indian players who collectively decided that, under the present circumstances, participating in a match versus Pakistan did not align with their values or public sentiment. This unified front from the Indian legends prompted organizers to respect their decision, despite disappointment among fans and backlash from some quarters of the cricket community.
Dhawan’s clear and direct explanation has been widely supported by the Indian public, reinforcing the notion that in times of national pain, certain gestures—like boycotting a cricket match against a rival nation—transcend the boundaries of sport itself.
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