The India Champions team has officially withdrawn from the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 semi-final match against Pakistan, scheduled for Thursday. This decision, a collective one made by the players, stems from the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the two countries and, more recently, the tragic Pahalgam terror attack. The team had previously forfeited their group-stage match against Pakistan for similar reasons.

According to an inside source, the players chose to prioritize national sentiment above their sporting obligations. The source emphasized that the team would have taken the same stance even if they were to face Pakistan in the final. This unwavering commitment to their nation underscores the depth of the team's decision.

The WCL organizers have acknowledged and respected the India Champions' decision, leading to the cancellation of the semi-final. As a result, the Pakistan Champions have advanced to the final, marking their second consecutive appearance in the summit clash. In the previous edition, they were runners-up, losing to India in the final. The WCL released a statement expressing their respect for India's decision and acknowledging Pakistan's readiness to compete. The statement also reiterated the belief in the power of sport to inspire positive change but emphasized that public sentiment must always be respected.

Several prominent players, including Shikhar Dhawan, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, and Suresh Raina, had expressed their unwillingness to participate in the semi-final against Pakistan. Shikhar Dhawan had previously stated that he would not participate in matches against Pakistan due to the existing geopolitical tensions.

Adding to the controversy, EaseMyTrip, a key sponsor of the tournament, withdrew its support for the India-Pakistan semi-final. Nishant Pitti, the co-founder of the travel-tech company, stated that "terror and cricket cannot go hand in hand" and that the company stands with India, refusing to support any event that normalizes relations with a country that promotes terrorism.

Shahid Afridi, a former Pakistani cricketer, stirred further controversy by accusing India of staging attacks on its own citizens in Pahalgam. He also blamed Shikhar Dhawan for influencing other Indian cricketers to boycott the matches against Pakistan, calling him a "rotten egg".

The India Champions' boycott reflects a firm stance against engaging in sporting ties with Pakistan amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions and recent events. This decision highlights the complexities of sports and politics, particularly in the context of the India-Pakistan relationship.

With Pakistan advancing to the final, they will face the winner of the semi-final match between South Africa Champions and Australia Champions. The WCL organizers have announced a 50% refund on ticket prices for fans who purchased tickets for the cancelled semi-final.