Should India play sports with Pak as it pushes terror? Mood of the Nation is...

The mood of the nation is quite telling when it comes to India–Pakistan sporting ties amid escalating cross-border tensions in the aftermath of the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Even as the men’s cricket team gears up to face their arch-rivals in the upcoming Asia Cup, an overwhelming 68.6 per cent of respondents in the India Today-CVoter Mood of the Nation (MOTN) survey said no to sporting ties with the neighbours.

According to the survey, 25 per cent of respondents were in favour of continuing bilateral sporting ties, including cricket matches, with Pakistan. Only 7 per cent of respondents sat on the fence, refraining from giving a decisive response on the burning question.

The India Today-CVoter Mood of the Nation poll was conducted between 1 July and 14 August 2025, covering 54,788 respondents. In addition, 1,52,038 interviews from CVoter’s regular tracker were analysed. In all, the opinions of 2,06,826 individuals formed the basis of this MOTN report.

Several voices, including those of former cricketers, have urged the Indian men’s cricket team to boycott their Asia Cup match against Pakistan. These calls came in the wake of heightened tensions between the two nations following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, most of them tourists. In its aftermath, India launched Operation Sindoor to dismantle terror infrastructure across the border.

Although there had been speculation that India might withdraw from the Asia Cup, the team decided to participate, albeit at a neutral venue — the UAE. India and Pakistan are scheduled to face off in the group stage on September 14, with the possibility of meeting as many as three times in the tournament if both sides reach the final.

In July-August, India boycotted matches against Pakistan, including a semi-final, during the World Championship of Legends — a T20 competition featuring retired cricketers in the United Kingdom.

GOVERNMENT DIRECTIVE

Earlier in August, the Sports Ministry issued a directive upholding the consistent policy of not engaging in bilateral sporting events with Pakistan. However, this restriction does not extend to multilateral tournaments such as the World Cups and the Olympics, where both countries participate under the jurisdiction of international governing bodies.

India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket since the 2012–13 season. Since then, the men’s and women’s teams of both nations have faced each other only in multi-nation tournaments and multi-sport events.

India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup in 2023 and the Champions Trophy in 2025, citing security concerns. Both tournaments were subsequently held at neutral venues.

More recently, Pakistan’s hockey team declined to travel to India for the Asia Cup Hockey, which began on 29 August in Rajgir. Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey told ANI news agency that India was ready to host Pakistan, but the former champions withdrew from the eight-team tournament.

However, with India aspiring to host the Olympics in 2036 and the Commonwealth Games in 2030, it's important to be friendly sporting hosts.