The Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan has captured global attention, but the debate isn’t limited to cricket. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has raised concerns over whether the match should have been held at all. Taking to social media, she said, “The battle is not on the cricket pitch,” stressing that the nation must reassess its priorities.
Background of the Remark
India’s win over Pakistan was overshadowed by the trophy controversy, in which the team refused to take the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the minister of Pakistan. Cricket fans were happy about the win, but Priyanka Chaturvedi said that having or playing in these kinds of games when tensions are high sends mixed messages. She said that sports policy shouldn’t hurt national pride or the real problems that people are facing.
“It should be clear what the priorities are.”
In her speech, Chaturvedi asked if planning the final fit with the current goals of the country. She said that leaders should keep their attention on protecting people and dealing with important domestic problems instead of taking part in meaningless sporting events that could make ongoing conflicts seem less important. A lot of people talked about the role of cricket in diplomacy and the mix between fun and duty after she said that.
How People and Politicians Reacted
People on social media had a range of responses to what she said. Supporters agreed that cricket games against Pakistan often get too dramatic for no reason. The final of the Asia Cup in 2025 was used as an example. But some people said she was making sports political and said cricket should stay away from countries to connect, not a wall. There has been an argument for a long time about whether or not politics and cricket can really be kept separate in the subcontinent.
A Tough Balance Between Cricket and Diplomacy
In the past, cricket games between India and Pakistan have always had political overtones. Some people see them as chances to talk to each other, while others see them as a way to threaten national security. This tension was brought to light again in the Asia Cup 2025 final. India won on the field, but they refused to celebrate by handing over the prize, which showed how blurry the lines are between sports and politics.
