Former India World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev has given his two cents on the high-profile India vs Pakistan clash in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 event on Sunday, September 14, and has urged the public not to make a huge fuss, asserting that the "Government will do its job, and the players should do theirs."
Ever since the schedule of the Continental Cup was announced, there has been a raging debate on whether India should play Pakistan, given the recent political tensions between the two countries in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year. The BCCI, however, has stated that they will do as per the Government's instructions, which permits in ICC and other multi tournament events, but restricts during bilateral series with Pakistan.
Advertisement
Also Read: Women's World Cup 2025: ICC appoints all-female panel for showpiece event
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Kapil said, "Just go and win. Those whose job is to play should just focus on playing - there's no need to say anything else. Don't make this a big issue. The government will do its job, and the players should do theirs."
Notably, India last played a bilateral series against the Men in Green in 2012-13, with heightened political and security tension halting the two Asian teams to meet each other in any format of the bilateral series. It is only during ICC and Asia Cup events that India plays Pakistan.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2025: Abhishek Sharma joins Rohit Sharma in elite T20I list
India, which was also the official host of the Continental Cup 2025 event, which began on September 09, did not get to host the event as the recent agreement between them and the Pakistan board states that the two will play matches in a neutral venue. As a result, the event is now being staged in the UAE, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi serving as host cities.
India start their Asia Cup 2025 campaign on a thumping note, beat UAE by nine wickets
For the unversed, the Suryakumar Yadav-led India began their Asia Cup title defense by thumping the UAE by nine wickets. The Men in Blue bundled UAE for just 57, before Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill completed the run chase in just 4.3 overs. India, who have shown phenomenal form in T20Is since their win in the T20 World Cup 2024, are also the overwhelming favorites to win the Asia Cup 2025 event.
Also Read: Sunil Gavaskar issues straightforward Bronco Test warning to BCCI: "Tad too much..."
While step one is accomplished, the Surya-led side will now look to keep the same momentum & intensity going when they take on Pakistan in Dubai on September 14.
