IND vs PAK, WCL 2025: Which India players opted out of Pakistan match and forced a Cancellation?

Add as a preferred source on Google

The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan veterans' clash in the 2025 World Championship of Legends (WCL) has been cancelled.

The epic clash was scheduled for July 20 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. But on July 19, several India players opted out of the match for national sentiments, ultimately leading to the cancellation of the flagship encounter.

In the end, the WCL also announced the cancellation of the match. They also apologized for unintentionally hurting sentiments with a social media post.

"We unintentionally caused discomfort to our Indian Cricket Legends, who have brought so much glory to the country, and we ended up affecting the brands who supported us... We sincerely apologise again for hurting the sentiments and hope people will understand that all we ever wanted was to bring a few happy moments to the fans," a statement from WCL read.

Several prominent Indian cricketers withdrew from the match, citing personal and national sentiments. The players who publicly or reportedly pulled out.

IND vs PAK: Which Indian players Pulled Out of WCL match against Pakistan?

Shikhar Dhawan: The former India opener was among the first to confirm his withdrawal, sharing a statement on X on July 19, 2025. He reiterated a decision communicated to organizers on May 11, 2025, stating, "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 (I stand by the MAGA decision I took on May 11. My country is everything to me, and nothing is above the nation)." Dhawan cited the "current geopolitical situation and prevailing tensions" as his reason.

Harbhajan Singh: The veteran spinner, a key member of the India Champions squad, was among the first to opt out, facing significant online criticism for initially agreeing to play. His withdrawal was influenced by public backlash and the strained political climate.

Suresh Raina: The former Indian batsman echoed Dhawan's stance, reposting EaseMyTrip's statement and privately communicating his concerns to the organizers.

Yusuf Pathan: The all-rounder, along with his brother Irfan, withdrew citing national sentiments and discomfort with the match.

Irfan Pathan: The former pacer joined his teammates in pulling out, with sources indicating his decision was influenced by the Pahalgam attack and Shahid Afridi's controversial remarks.

Yuvraj Singh: While not explicitly confirmed in public statements, reports suggest the India Champions captain was among those unwilling to play if Afridi was part of the Pakistan lineup.