IND vs PAK: Possible for players to cut outside noise amid boycott calls in Asia Cup? India coach says ‘once BCCI says…’

Ever since the Asia Cup 2025 schedule was announced, calls to boycott the India vs Pakistan game on September 14 has been on the rise. From cricketers to politicians to fans, a huge section of the society has urged the Board of control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to withdraw from playing against Men in Green in the continental showpiece in Dubai.

If former cricketers like Harbhajan Singh and Kedar Jadav have called for a boycott, ex-Indian captain Sourav Ganguly spoke in favour of the IND vs PAK clash, stating politics and cricket should always remain separate. Ahead of the high-octane clash, Sitanshu Kotak was asked is it really possible for players to cut the outside noise.

The Indian batting coach decided to play safe and put the ball in BCCI's court. “Once you are here to play, I think players are focused on playing cricket. I personally don't think they have anything in mind apart from playing cricket and that's what we focus on,” Kotak told reporters on the sidelines of India's training session at ICC Academy on Friday.

“I think for players and for us, once BCCI says and they are align with government, we are here to play competitive game. India vs Pakistan is always a competitive game so we rather focus on that,” he added.