BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia Finally addressed the growing controversy around India’s scheduled cricket match. Pakistan In Asia Cup 2025Defending the board’s decision citing government policy guidelines.
The conflict between the hardcore rivals has been set in Dubai on 14 September, but in April 2025, the disastrous Pahalgam has severely criticized after the terrorist attack, where 26 tourists were killed by Pakistani militants. The incident has intensified calls from former cricketers and fans to boycott all sports engagement with Pakistan.
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Speaking to ANI, Saikia clarified that BCCI is strictly operated within the structure established by the central government. The recent revised policy implemented in August 2025 distinguishes between bilateral and multilateral sports events.
“As far as the BCCI’s approach is concerned, whatever we have to follow the central government. Saikia said.
They added further, “Therefore India has to play all matches in any multinational tournament. As is a multinational tournament, which includes countries in the continent of Asia, so we have to play. And also, for any ICC tournament, when there is a country that is not on friendly terms with India, we will have to play in the international tournament.
The policy restrictions bilateral competitions, allowing participation in multinational events organized by international bodies such as ICC And Asian cricket council,
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Saikia emphasized the possible consequences of boycotting multilateral tournaments, warning that the refusal refusal could ban international sports associations.
,Therefore, we are following the policy prepared by the Government of India, Youth and Sports Development Department. Therefore, the policy we are following, we are fully in alignment with the policy prepared by the Central Government. And for that, BCCI must do this. And we are very happy to follow the policy,” he explained.
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To portray possible results, Saikia mentioned the Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra: “Suppose, taking an example, in athletics, India is not playing a special tournament because we have to play with a player belonging to a hostile country. In that case, if any approval comes with the Indian Athletic Association, take an example that Neeraj Chopra, suppose that he will not be able to participate in any international event. So he will be harmful for the interests of the players.”
Ending his statement, Saik said, “I am sure that the Government of India has taken into account all these factors, which allows India to participate, not only in cricket but also in other sports, various multinational tournaments.”
The dispute came months after the launch of India’s Operation Sindoor – accurate airstrikes targeting terrorist camps across Pakistan in vengeance of the Pahlgam attack. Despite the political stress, the BCCI maintains its commitment to respect the obligations for international cricket governing bodies, maintaining the government’s prohibition on bilateral sports exchange with Pakistan.
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