Asia Cup 2025: No questions on Pakistan - BCCI stops reporter during squad announcement

BCCI selection committee Chairman Ajit Agarkar with India's T20 cricket captain Suryakumar Yadav during a press conference to announce the Indian squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, in Mumbai. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

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India announced their squad for the Asia Cup 2025 on Tuesday, with captain Suryakumar Yadav and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar making the announcement in Mumbai. Test captain Shubman Gill and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah both returned to the side, strengthening the balance of the team.The 15-member squad includes Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana and Rinku Singh.The press conference, however, took an unexpected turn when Agarkar was stopped from answering a question about Pakistan. As he was preparing to respond, a representative of the Indian Cricket Board present at the venue intervened, signalling him not to comment further. The moment drew attention, given the political sensitivities surrounding India’s upcoming fixture against Pakistan.India is scheduled to face Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai. It will be the first meeting between the two sides following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir earlier this year. The two teams could potentially meet up to three times in the tournament, first in the group stage, then in the Super 4s on September 21, and possibly again in the final.The decision to participate has sparked criticism in some quarters, considering the ongoing cross-border tensions. Earlier in May, reports suggested that India would neither host nor play in the Asia Cup due to the aftermath of the attack. However, the BCCI later shifted its stance, confirming that the competition would go ahead at a neutral venue, with matches spread between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.The debate over cricketing ties in the current climate is certain to continue, but for now, attention will turn towards India’s preparation and how the squad shapes up ahead of their high-voltage clash against Pakistan.

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