Open house: Was it a wise decision for India to play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup?

Created a visible divide in country

When was cricket ever a wise game? When have Indians, as a nation, shown wisdom? Personally, I never expected a different outcome from the childish Shah & Co. Nevertheless, the stark double standards have created a visible divide in India. Punjabis feel marginalised when we observe the so-called "national pulse" over the release of movies and cool matches fixed with so called enemy country. There's a quantum leap in ideology when it comes to my money versus someone else's investment. We are often mean-spirited as individuals while projecting exaggerated patriotism at the Wagah border retreat. The question of this week is about character. Time to introspect. Dr Baljit Kaur

Sports must remain free from politics

Yes, it was a positive and wise move for the Indian cricket team to play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup in Dubai on the night of September 14. This is because of the harsh fact that the past cannot be changed, and both the present and the future should not be worsened by constantly dwelling on past mishappenings. Moreover, sports activities should always remain free from the dirty battles of politics. Most sportspersons are young, energetic, physically fit and represent the future of any country. They are generally not concerned with political developments; their focus is on their health and careers in sports. Therefore, politicians from both countries should learn a lesson: they must stop creating hurdles and interfering in cricket matches between India and Pakistan. Sanjay Chawla

Play with ethics or don’t play at all

When it comes to the game of cricket, India vs Pakistan is known to be the biggest rivalry in the world. It's not just the game which makes it more interesting makes it so intense, but also the shared history, the memories, the grief, the passion to win and the deep emotions on both sides that make it more than just a sport. What happened in Pahalgam is known to everyone, and the links of the perpetrators to Pakistan are also well understood. A war-like situation erupted after that incident, leading to a complete shutdown of trade between the two nations and the suspension of the famous Indus Water Treaty, which had been in effect since 1960. Diplomatic talks between the two countries also ceased. In such state of affairs came the schedule of Asia Cup 2025. At first, India were reluctant to play against Pakistan due to well-known reasons. But later, the BCCI decided to allow team India to go against Pakistan. In my opinion if everything has been called off with Pakistan, then what is the logic of playing cricket with them? It is a disrespect to the families who lost their kin in the Pahalgam terror attack as well as to the soldiers who lost their lives during 'Operation Sindoor'. That said, if this was meant as a step toward building a positive environment with our neighbours, then the spirit of the game should have been upheld properly. Post-match handshakes are not just a ritual, they are a mark of respect for fellow players. Dedicating a victory to your armed forces is admirable, but it becomes problematic when it's done in a way that embarrasses other players, who, like ours, come from good families and have worked hard with dedication to reach this level. Playgrounds should not be turned into political grounds. Either don't play the game at all, or play it with full ethics. Dr Harish Khichy

What if the Indian team had lost?

In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, India faced Pakistan in the Asia Cup on September 14. This raised conflicting sentiments. On one hand, Sardaar Ji 3, starring Diljit Dosanjh and Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, was withheld from release to respect the national mood. On the other, a high-profile cricket match with Pakistan went ahead. India's win was dedicated to soldiers and martyrs, but the question remains — what if the team had lost? Would it not have deepened the hurt of grieving families? Sports can inspire, but they should not risk appearing indifferent to national sacrifice. If obligations make such matches unavoidable, they must be handled with utmost sensitivity, ensuring communication with victims' families and dignified tributes. Otherwise, postponement or neutral alternatives should be explored. National security and public sentiment should remain paramount over commercial or competitive compulsions. Dr Kulbir Kaur

Balancing sentiment with statecraft

The barbaric Pahalgam terror attack, drenched in the blood of innocents, posed a grave moral dilemma - should India have faced Pakistan in the Asia Cup on September 14? Cricket in the subcontinent is not merely a sport but a pulsating extension of national identity. To play immediately after such carnage risks being perceived as a dilution of collective grief and a tacit indulgence of the very forces inimical to our sovereignty. Conversely, boycotting the match could allow terror to dictate the terms of diplomacy, projecting weakness. Wisdom lies in balancing sentiment with statecraft: sporting ties cannot be insulated from national trauma. By prioritising dignity over mere commercial spectacle, India must signal that while sports may unite nations, no game can eclipse the sanctity of human life or the sovereignty of the Republic. Preetpal Singh Chhina

Samjhauta Express, trade must be resumed

The match played between India and our neighbouring country is a welcome development, and we demand that this trend be multiplied and continued. Not only matches, but mutual exchanges between literary figures must also be encouraged. Our country's government has disappointed the Sikhs by not sending the Jatha of Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan. I have visited Pakistan as a member of the Sikh Jatha in 2019 and 2022. Both times, I felt that the common citizens of Pakistan have a certain emotional attachment to Indians. The main person responsible for approving this match is the son of the Home Minister. Now, the Home Minister must sanction and approve mutual trade between both neighbouring countries. The ban imposed since the Pulwama incident must be lifted. Traders and businessmen have suffered greatly, so the Indian government must work to establish friendly relations with the neighbouring country, and Pakistan should respond similarly. We hope that the cricket match will lay the foundation for mutual literary meetings and exchanges in trade, business, and technology. The Samjhauta Express must also resume its services. Kulwant Singh Ankhi

Not obligation, it was weakness

The terror attack in Pahalgam has left the entire country in grief and anger. Brave soldiers laid down their lives, and within hours, our cricket team was on the field in Dubai playing Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Was this the message India wanted to send? That we can be attacked and still entertain the enemy with sports? Cricket with Pakistan is not just a game. It carries political and emotional weight. By allowing the match to continue, the authorities ignored the pain of the nation and insulted the sacrifice of our soldiers. At a time when families were mourning, lakhs of Indians were forced to watch their team compete against the country that harbours those responsible for repeated terror attacks on our soil. This was not sportsmanship, it was weakness. India must draw a firm line. No sporting ties with Pakistan until terrorism ends. Anything less is an injustice to our martyrs. Sanjay Sharma

Respect public sentiment

The recent terror attack in Pahalgam has once again shaken the nation and reminded us of the sacrifices made by our security forces. In such a sensitive time, the decision to go ahead with the India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup on the night of September 14 in Dubai raises important questions. While cricket is often described as separate from politics, we cannot ignore the fact that sports between the two nations carry huge symbolic weight. For many citizens, watching our team take the field against Pakistan so soon after the attack felt insensitive and disconnected from the national mood. At a time when the country is mourning and demanding accountability, the continuation of this match gave an impression of normalcy in relations, which was inappropriate. The government and sports authorities must reconsider how to balance sports diplomacy with national sentiment. A short postponement would have shown solidarity with the martyrs and respect for public emotions. Kulbir Singh

Prioritising politics over empathy

India’s decision to play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 after the Pahalgam terrorist attack sparked controversy. While the BCCI cited obligations, many felt it was insensitive to the victims’ families. The move highlighted the delicate balance between sporting diplomacy and national sentiments, fuelling debates about prioritising geopolitics over human empathy and respect for the victims. Shaheen P Parshad

Operation Sindoor was the ideal reply

There should not be any correlation between game and attack. We did show our anger during the last match played with Pakistan by not shaking hands with Pakistani players. Simultaneously, we played with the Pakistan team while keeping up the sports spirit. The Operation Sindoor was the ideal reply to the Pahalgam attack. India must play with Pakistan with high sports spirit to be dedicated to the affected families of the attack. MK Sharma

Disrespecting valour of armed forces

Though India has suspended all trade services with Pakistan post the Pahalgam massacre, playing cricket with Pakistan makes no sense even though citing international obligation and imposition of heavy penalties. If any future terror act on Indian soil shall be considered as an act of war, playing cricket or any other sport between the two nations is nothing short of showing disrespect to the victims and their families. The government should have taken into focus the public sentiments against playing with Pakistan. Playing cricket with Pakistan has hurt public sentiments and valour of armed forces in Operation Sindoor. Anil Vinayak