Former India batter Shikhar Dhawan revealed he had informed World Championship of Legends (WCL) organisers two months in advance about his decision to skip the India vs. Pakistan match, which was ultimately called off.
Dhawan Stood Firm on His Decision
Shikhar Dhawan publicly confirmed on Saturday that he had no intention of playing in the India Champions vs. Pakistan Champions match. This announcement came just before the game was officially cancelled early Sunday morning.
He was the first player to openly declare his withdrawal. Reports had already circulated that other prominent cricketers like Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, and the Pathan brothers, Yusuf and Irfan, had also pulled out of the scheduled contest in Edgbaston.
Why the Boycott?
The collective decision by the Indian legends was largely influenced by significant public backlash and outrage on social media. Tensions between India and Pakistan had escalated following the Pahalgram terrorist attack in April, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists.
This heightened geopolitical situation made playing against a Pakistani team a sensitive issue for the Indian players and their fans.
Dhawan’s Prior Communication
To back up his statement, Dhawan shared a screenshot of an email sent to the WCL tournament organisers on May 11. This clearly showed his intent to boycott the opening match against Pakistan well in advance.
In a powerful statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) alongside the email screenshot, Dhawan wrote, “Jo kadam 11 May ko liya, uspe aaj bhi waise hi khada hoon. Mera desh mere liye sab kuch hai, aur desh se badhkar kuch nahi hota.” This translates to, “I stand by the decision that was taken on May 11. My country means everything to me and nothing is greater than my country.”
The email itself explicitly stated: “This is to formally reiterate and confirm that Mr. Shikhar Dhawan will not be participating in any matches against the Pakistan team in the upcoming WCL League. This decision was communicated earlier during our discussion on call and WhatsApp dated 11th May 2025.” It further cited “the current geopolitical situation and prevailing tensions between India and Pakistan” as the reason for his stance.
WCL’s Apology and Cancellation
Following the widespread sentiment and the withdrawals, the WCL organisers issued an apology. They acknowledged that they had unintentionally “hurt the feelings of many and stirring emotions,” and caused “discomfort to our Indian Cricket Legends.”
The organisers explained their initial decision was an attempt to create “happy memories” by referencing recent India vs. Pakistan fixtures in other sports like hockey and volleyball. However, they concluded that due to the backlash, they had to call off the India-Pakistan match. They expressed hope that people would understand their intention was solely to bring joy to fans.
- Shikhar Dhawan informed WCL organisers on May 11 of his decision to skip the match against Pakistan.
- Other Indian legends also withdrew due to public backlash and geopolitical tensions after a terrorist attack.
- Dhawan emphasized his commitment to his country, stating “nothing is greater than my country.”
- The World Championship of Legends organisers apologized for causing discomfort and cancelled the high-profile match.
This incident highlights the delicate balance between sportsmanship and national sentiment, especially in the context of India-Pakistan relations.
