India vs Pakistan clash beyond cricket: Harsh Goenka's 'mai-baap' post echoes fans' struggle between patriotism & passion

The build-up to Sunday’s India-Pakistan encounter in the Asia Cup has been anything but straightforward. Away from the nets and scoreboards, emotions are running high, with patriotism, politics and passion for cricket colliding in ways only this rivalry can inspire.

“Even my mai-baaps are confused”

Business magnate Harsh Goenka captured the mood of millions with a tongue-in-cheek post on X. The RPG Group Chairman wrote: “India vs Pakistan tomorrow. Heart says don’t watch, mind says does it even matter, patriotism says boycott, sanity says cheer your team. Even my mai-baaps are giving mixed signals. What on earth should I do?”

His words struck a chord with fans torn between their love for cricket and the shadow of geopolitics.


Also Read: India vs Pakistan LIVE Updates, Asia Cup 2025

Players shut out the noise

Inside the dressing room, though, it’s business as usual. Team India’s assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak brushed aside the chatter, insisting that the players remain locked in on cricket.

“Once we are here to play, we are focused on playing cricket. I personally don’t think there is anything on my mind apart from playing cricket,” Kotak told reporters in Dubai.

He added that decisions about participation rest with the BCCI and the government, leaving the squad to simply prepare and compete.

Boycott calls grow louder

Beyond the stadium, however, tempers are rising. The recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists, followed by India’s Operation Sindoor targeting terrorist camps, has led to louder calls for boycotting the fixture.

Many fans argue that playing Pakistan so soon after such events feels insensitive.

Cricket with consequences

With both sides having started their Asia Cup 2025 campaigns with wins, the Dubai clash promises intensity on the pitch. Yet the drama extends far beyond runs and wickets.

From the players’ body language to the smallest gestures of sportsmanship, every moment will be dissected against the backdrop of strained relations.

For now, as fans wrestle with mixed feelings and players sharpen their focus, one truth remains: India versus Pakistan is never just another cricket match.

Inputs from agencies