“You have to get TRP; you need revenue?” - Ex-Indian cricketer wants Team India to boycott Pakistan match in Asia Cup 2025

Former Indian cricketer and commentator Manoj Tiwary has stated that India should boycott playing against the arch-rivals Pakistan in the forthcoming Asia Cup 2025, which is starting on Tuesday, September 9, in the United Arab Emirates.

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Speaking exclusively to ANI, Tiwary asserted that he is personally boycotting the eight-team showpiece event as he doesn’t like the idea of Team India playing against Pakistan despite repeated offenses from the neighbouring country. 

"Look, first of all, I am boycotting the Asia Cup personally. I don't like to see it. And I don't know who the squad is. And I don't want to go into that much detail. As I mentioned earlier, I am personally boycotting it. I don't like to see it because of the kind of environment it has been in, and where people have died in attacks in Pahalgam, we have seen a lot before," Tiwary told ANI.

"It happened in Pulwama as well. So when this happens, how can we enjoy the game? This is beyond my understanding. That's why I am boycotting it personally," Tiwary added.

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Furthermore, Tiwary also reckoned that the India vs Pakistan match is for mere TRP ratings and revenue. Also, he urged the Indian team to boycott the game and play other matches in the showpiece event, giving a statement.

"What is the benefit? You have to get TRP; you need revenue? If the ICC people cannot get rid of them, then you get rid of that game. In the other games, you do well. See what happens. This will be a statement from our country," he said.

It’s worth noting that Team India, led by Rohit Sharma, declined to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 earlier this year. Eventually, they had to play all of their games in Dubai and ultimately they lifted the title after defeating New Zealand in the grand finale.

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India's squad for Asia Cup: Surya Kumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.

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