When it comes to cricket between India and Pakistan, the world knows it is more than just a sport. Every boundary hit, every wicket taken, and every trophy lifted carries political undertones and deep emotions for millions across the subcontinent. The Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan was no exception. India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, added fuel to the fire when he invoked the phrase “Operation Sindoor” after India’s victory, turning a cricket triumph into a politically charged statement.
India vs Pakistan: A Rivalry Beyond Cricket
India and Pakistan share one of the fiercest rivalries in cricket. Matches between the two nations are watched by hundreds of millions, making them some of the most viewed sporting events globally. But beyond the bat and ball, the rivalry often mirrors the tense political and military relationship between the two countries.
The Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai brought this rivalry back into the spotlight. India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in a tense game, lifting the trophy once again. However, what unfolded after the match overshadowed the cricketing brilliance and shifted the conversation toward politics and diplomacy.
Modi’s “Operation Sindoor” Remark
After India’s win, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team by posting on social media:
“#OperationSindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers.”
This single post sparked controversy across South Asia. Modi directly linked the cricketing victory to “Operation Sindoor,” India’s short military campaign earlier in May 2025 during a brief conflict with Pakistan. That operation was launched after an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir killed 26 civilians, an attack India blamed on Pakistan. The military standoff killed over 70 people before it ended, leaving wounds that were still fresh when the Asia Cup final was played.
By invoking Operation Sindoor, Modi symbolically connected the cricket win to India’s military success. For his supporters, it was a powerful statement of national pride. For his critics, it was an unnecessary politicization of sport, turning a joyous victory into a reminder of conflict and division.
Trophy Drama: India’s Protest Against Pakistan
While Modi’s words grabbed headlines, the post-match ceremony created its own storm. India refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan’s Interior Minister.
Indian players collected their individual awards but did not receive the team trophy. The unusual scene shocked the cricketing world. Never before had a winning team been denied their moment of glory with the championship trophy in hand. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed disappointment, saying he had “never seen” champions denied their prize.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s captain, Salman Agha, criticized India’s actions, calling them “bad for cricket” and suggesting that sportsmanship was overshadowed by politics.
Media, PR, and Diplomatic Fallout
The Asia Cup 2025 final quickly turned from a sporting spectacle into a diplomatic talking point.
- In India, Modi’s supporters hailed his post as a patriotic celebration of both cricket and military strength. Nationalist media praised the “Operation Sindoor” remark as a reminder that India stands strong on all fronts — battlefield and sports field alike.
- In Pakistan, the response was starkly different. Politicians, media, and cricket fans condemned Modi’s words as an attempt to weaponize cricket for political propaganda. Mohsin Naqvi directly criticized the Indian PM, arguing that dragging war into sport was “desperate” and against the spirit of the game.
- In the cricketing world, many experts worried that this incident would further strain Indo-Pak cricket relations. Some commentators warned that the sport could lose its value as a bridge between nations if political symbolism continued to dominate.
Cricket as a Tool of Soft Power
Sports diplomacy has always been a subtle way of building relationships between rival nations. Cricket, in particular, has been a bridge between India and Pakistan during times of conflict. Historic tours, joint tournaments, and iconic matches have provided moments of thaw in otherwise frozen diplomatic ties.
However, the Asia Cup 2025 final showed the opposite effect. Instead of softening relations, cricket became an extension of politics. Modi’s use of “Operation Sindoor” framed the game not as a sporting contest but as a symbolic battle, aligning cricket with military pride.
Why Modi’s Words Sparked Controversy
The backlash to Modi’s remark stems from multiple layers:
- Timing: The military conflict between India and Pakistan happened only months before the tournament, with civilian and military casualties still fresh in memory.
- Platform: As Prime Minister, Modi’s words carry significant weight. Linking war with cricket blurred the line between sport and geopolitics.
- Global Attention: India-Pakistan matches are watched worldwide. The international community views these games as opportunities for cultural exchange, not political messaging.
- Sporting Spirit: Critics argue that the spirit of cricket lies in unity, respect, and competition, not in extending narratives of conflict.
Opposition and Criticism Inside India
Within India, reactions were not one-sided. Opposition parties criticized Modi’s post, calling it insensitive and politically motivated. The Congress party questioned whether linking a cricket win to a military operation was appropriate, especially since India had allowed the tournament to proceed despite tensions.
Several opinion pieces in Indian media argued that equating cricket victories with military operations diminishes the sacrifices of soldiers and undermines the sanctity of sport.
Pakistan’s Reaction
In Pakistan, Modi’s remarks were seen as inflammatory. The refusal of the Indian team to accept the trophy from a Pakistani official further added to the sense of insult. Pakistani commentators accused India of crossing a line, and fans expressed disappointment that cricket — once a source of mutual excitement — had become a stage for hostility.
Pakistan’s captain Salman Agha said India’s behavior was “bad for cricket,” adding that true champions respect the game and their opponents, regardless of political circumstances.
Implications for Future India-Pakistan Cricket
The Asia Cup 2025 controversy has left a big question mark over the future of India-Pakistan cricketing ties.
- Bilateral Series: Already rare due to political tensions, bilateral series may become impossible in the near future.
- ICC Meetings: India’s cricket board (BCCI) has announced plans to protest Mohsin Naqvi’s role at the ICC’s next meeting. This could escalate into formal disputes within global cricket governance.
- Players and Fans: For players, being caught in the middle of politics is demoralizing. For fans, the joy of cricket risks being overshadowed by nationalist rhetoric.
The Bigger Picture: Cricket as Battlefield
The Asia Cup 2025 final revealed how cricket can easily become an extension of geopolitical rivalry. Instead of uniting fans in celebration of skill and sportsmanship, the match became a stage for symbolic battles. Modi’s invocation of “Operation Sindoor” crystallized this trend — turning a cricket win into a continuation of political messaging.
Some argue that cricket should remain a bridge, a space where even the fiercest rivals can share respect and admiration. Others believe it is inevitable that sport reflects politics, especially in regions with long histories of conflict.
Conclusion
India’s Asia Cup 2025 win over Pakistan should have been remembered as a thrilling cricketing moment — a celebration of talent, teamwork, and competition. Instead, it became a case study in how sport, politics, and nationalism intertwine.
Prime Minister Modi’s “Operation Sindoor” remark has ensured that this match will go down in history not just for its runs and wickets, but for its political symbolism. For some, it is a proud reminder of India’s strength on every front. For others, it is a troubling sign that cricket is losing its purity as a sport.
What remains clear is that cricket between India and Pakistan will never be just a game. It is a stage where history, politics, and identity play out — sometimes with the bat and ball, and sometimes with words that echo far beyond the stadium.
