Players Must Inform BCCI Before: Former India Cricketer On India's Asia Cup Participation

The Asia Cup 2025 schedule was announced at the back of India Champions pulling out of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, not once but twice. The likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh were appreciated for their stance, but at the same time, India are scheduled to take on Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup in September.

The arch-rivals could face each other as many as three times, including the final. However, former India cricketer Atul Wassan believes if the Indian players do not want to play in the tournament, they have to inform the BCCI well in advance.

"Indian cricketers cannot turn up and say no. If they do not want to play, they have to tell BCCI before. It is a necessary evil. My suggestion is do not try to be more loyal than the king," says Wassan on NDTV's Tea Toast and Sports Podcast. 

Wassan also said that a similar protocol should have been followed in the WCL. He feels that the players should not have signed on the dotted line, knowing they could potentially face Pakistan in the tournament.

"I am against jingoistic patriotism. I hope the former Indian players can see beyond this and the followers of Instagram. But to expect maturity from these young boys is wishful thinking," Wassan said.

"If they had said earlier that India will not play Pakistan earlier it would have been fine. But you came here, sign the contract, took the money. This is a huge project, not a Mickey Mouse gig. South Africa, Australia are here. It is somewhat egg on the face of the organisers."

With India Champions pulling out of the tournament, Pakistan got a walkover and qualified for the final, where they will face South Africa Champions on August 2 (Saturday).