India-Pakistan Cricket Row: Opposition Slams BCCI, Questions Playing Despite Terror Attacks

New Delhi.

Following Pakistan’s refusal to play the T20 World Cup match against India, opposition leaders have launched a scathing attack on the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and the Central Government. Critics are questioning why India continued sporting ties despite repeated security concerns and recent terror incidents.

“Foreign Policy Needs Review” – Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav expressed that India should have taken the initiative to boycott the matches earlier.

“The Indian government needs to introspect its foreign policy. It is unclear why India was willing to play in the first place; we should have refused much earlier,” Yadav told the media.

Demand for Global Action after ‘Operation Sindoor’

Congress MP Ujjwal Raman Singh highlighted the sensitivity following the Pahalgam attack and ‘Operation Sindoor’.

• Call for Bans: He asserted that India should have raised the issue globally, stating that the ICC (International Cricket Council) appears “helpless” in dealing with Pakistan.

• Firm Stance: “If Pakistan acts this way, the ICC must impose a ban. India needs to present its case strongly—this behavior is intolerable,” Singh added.

“A Slap to BCCI’s Stature” – Priyanka Chaturvedi

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi termed the situation the “biggest slap” to the BCCI. Despite being the world’s richest and most powerful cricket body, she argued the BCCI failed to respect the sentiments of families affected by terrorism. “After the loss of 26 lives in recent attacks, families appealed to stop playing with Pakistan. The BCCI must answer why these sentiments were ignored,” she stated.

Shashi Tharoor Calls for an Emergency “Wake-up Call”

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor lamented the extreme politicization of the sport. While he found the Bangladesh-Pakistan solidarity moves “unfortunate,” he emphasized that cricket should bring people together. “This is a wake-up call for all stakeholders. The ICC should act as a platform for emergency dialogue. We cannot continue in this state of perpetual friction,” Tharoor noted.

Tactical Exit by Pakistan? – Kirti Azad

TMC MP and former cricketer Kirti Azad claimed Pakistan’s withdrawal was a move to “save face” as they knew they couldn’t win. He suggested that India missed a massive diplomatic opportunity after the Baisaran (Pahalgam) tragedy to send a global message against state-sponsored terrorism by boycotting the World Cup.

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Keywords: India Pakistan cricket dispute 2026, BCCI vs PCB, T20 World Cup boycott, Akhilesh Yadav on Pakistan, Shashi Tharoor cricket politics, Operation Sindoor Pahalgam attack, ICC Pakistan ban, India Pakistan diplomatic ties, Kirti Azad on cricket, Priyanka Chaturvedi BCCI.

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