The highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash at the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 has been called off after several Indian players withdrew from the tournament. This decision follows a firm stance taken by EaseMyTrip, a sponsor of the league, which has stated its unequivocal opposition to being associated with any matches involving Pakistan.
The World Championship of Legends (WCL) has officially cancelled the India versus Pakistan match and has apologized for hurting sentiments. The tournament is scheduled to be held across four UK cities – Birmingham, Northampton, Leicester, and Leeds – from July 18 to August 2, 2025. This season was poised to be one of the most anticipated cricket events of the year, uniting iconic former players on the field once more.
Several Indian players, including Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan, opted out of the match, citing the current geopolitical climate as a major factor in their decision. Dhawan, in a public statement, reinforced his unwavering commitment to his country, asserting that for him, the nation always comes first. "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 standby the decision I took on May 11. My country is everything for me and nothing is bigger than the country)," Dhawan stated.
EaseMyTrip, a travel-tech portal and one of the tournament's sponsors, released an official statement clarifying its position regarding the WCL. The company emphasized that despite having a five-year sponsorship agreement with the WCL, it would not associate with or participate in any match involving Pakistan. This stance, according to EaseMyTrip, has been consistently communicated to the WCL team since the beginning of their partnership. The company reiterated its support for Team India and its desire to see the team bring the cup home. In a post on X, EaseMyTrip stated, "Despite entering into a 5-year sponsorship agreement with the World Championship of Legends (WCL) two years ago, our stance has always been clear--EaseMyTrip will not be associated with or participate in any WCL match involving Pakistan... EaseMyTrip supports Team India, but will not engage in any match featuring Pakistan".
The cancellation of the India-Pakistan match has elicited varied reactions. Some have lauded the decision, viewing it as a powerful statement in light of ongoing geopolitical tensions. Others have criticized the move, expressing disappointment that fans will miss out on witnessing the revival of this historic rivalry on the cricket field. Concerns have also been raised regarding the financial implications of such matches, with critics suggesting that participation could inadvertently channel funds to anti-India elements.
The World Championship of Legends features six teams: India, Pakistan, England, Australia, South Africa, and the West Indies. These teams are composed of retired cricket superstars, reigniting historic rivalries. The absence of the India-Pakistan match is a significant setback for the tournament, impacting its appeal and potentially raising questions about the future of such encounters in similar leagues.
Despite the cancellation, the World Championship of Legends 2025 continues with other matches. The tournament is sanctioned by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), ensuring credibility and high standards.
