"You should not have asked that": Shikhar Dhawan loses his cool on India vs Pakistan query
Shikhar Dhawan reacted sharply to a question about his stance on playing against Pakistan in the later stages of the ongoing World Championship of Legends. The WCL is currently taking place in England, where Shikhar Dhawan is playing for India Champions under the captaincy of Yuvraj Singh. The veterans' tournament opened with drama for the Indian team. The India Champions were slated to kick off their WCL campaign against Pakistan Champions. However, the backdrop of the conflict between the neighboring nations didn't paint an ideal picture for an India vs Pakistan clash. Indian players pulled out of the contest before the WCL canceled the match altogether.
Shikhar Dhawan snaps at the possibility of a India vs Pakistan contest in WCL
Now, as the competition moves to the business end, Shikhar Dhawan addressed questions about his possible participation in a semifinal clash against Pakistan Champions. The former Indian opener was asked whether he'd play the contest if both sides met in the knockout stage. Dhawan did not react kindly to the question. The cricketer ruled out any possibility of playing against Pakistan, especially since he had made his stance clear earlier. His remarks came a week after India withdrew from their scheduled league encounter with Pakistan, which led tournament organisers to cancel that fixture.
"You're asking this question at the wrong time and place, you shouldn't have asked it. And even if I didn't play earlier, I still won't play now," Dhawan snapped.
The much-awaited showdown between India Champions and Pakistan Champions was slated for last Sunday at Edgbaston. The game would have been a rematch of last season’s final. one that India had won to secure the inaugural WCL title. However, several Indian players, including Dhawan,opted out, citing the tense geopolitical environment between the two countries following the heinous Pahalgam terror attack.
Shikhar Dhawan’s response on potential semi-final against Pakistan Champions. 🏏
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As a result, WCL called off the contest and issued an apology to the Indian squad for “unintentionally causing discomfort.” At this stage, the chances of India facing Pakistan in the knockout stage appear slim unless the defending champions manage to win their remaining fixtures against England and the West Indies. India Champions currently sit at the bottom of the table, with two losses in three matches and no points to their name. Pakistan Champions, meanwhile, have claimed three consecutive victories, and are in second place. The runners-up from last year will face Australia in their final league match.
Earlier in the week, prominent players such as Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan withdrew from the opener against Pakistan Champions, though no official statements were issued at the time. The first public confirmation came early Monday when Dhawan released a note on X, explaining that his decision was influenced by the current geopolitical situation between the two nations.
