Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has stepped into the ongoing debate surrounding India’s upcoming Asia Cup 2025 clash with Pakistan. As calls to boycott the high-voltage game grow louder following the recent Pahalgam terror attack, Harbhajan urged people to separate politics from cricket.

The legendary off-spinner said that while the nation’s armed forces are fulfilling their duties through operations such as “Operation Sindoor,” Indian cricketers too have a responsibility — to perform on the field and make the country proud. He stressed that victories in international tournaments can also become a symbol of strength and resilience.

India and Pakistan are scheduled to meet on September 14 in Dubai in the Group A stage of the Asia Cup. Some voices demanded that the BCCI cancel the match as a mark of protest. However, Harbhajan pointed out that the government has already laid down a clear policy: India will not engage in bilateral series with Pakistan but will continue to compete in multilateral events where participation is mandatory.

According to him, withdrawing from such tournaments would only hand an advantage to the rival team and could harm India’s reputation in world cricket. Instead, he called on the players to stayc focused, deliver strong performances, and let their game do the talking.

Harbhajan’s remarks are seen as an attempt to calm tempers ahead of one of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament, reminding fans that sport too can serve as a platform for national pride.