Harbhajan Singh Says: Our Soldiers Don’t Return Why Do We Play

KOMAL SINGH Image Credit- Goggle

[{"selector":"#anim-7a06282f-9e79-40ee-91bc-2006cbb97e22 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(2.2689075485437264%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d531948f-63c4-411b-91f6-a2d9291be404","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f20a91f3-76ad-48f8-94e5-a6d9891c8dd0","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5b87194b-1c6a-432c-9414-eeddd8154a9a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cea8510e-893d-473d-80f1-57edea0231c8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(122.90909%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":1000,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Former spinner Harbhajan Singh challenges the Asia Cup match against Pakistan, saying, “Our soldiers don’t come home... and we go play cricket

[{"selector":"#anim-5e75f7ba-05e5-4098-84a7-43a034139064 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-10.227542650107743%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-10b7e2e0-486b-4060-ada1-cfcf8f87a4a8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f0e4cae7-0276-4a94-b2c3-cf91e7be80f7","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c2552989-921c-4c5a-a040-24caee1aed17","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-10d964e4-bd69-442c-b0c5-faa03752b4af","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(116.61129%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":1000,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] With public sentiment inflamed after the Pahalgam terror attack and military operations, Harbhajan urges the BCCI to reconsider sporting ties with Pakistan

He points to a deeper question should cricket matter when national sentiments and security are on the line

[{"selector":"#anim-2d1c7d2c-7277-4108-b30c-a65fb190b1a0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-7.600840287621516%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-39349272-888b-4edf-a097-d2cb921be413","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e5143358-2434-4f09-9450-d9c7e5e70ff3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-19b4b13b-28cf-42e8-bab9-4be845588198","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a8492780-e04b-4453-8aa9-c054ac867aba","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(112.85267%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":1000,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

[{"selector":"#anim-06eb5766-be7f-4c22-8439-56b378b541e5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(6.402141061556847%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9be8f101-d813-4546-a499-2416261bcc4b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e74b56dc-282f-430b-ab0a-67bfb72a456f","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-63432c69-6ba8-4885-9269-832951926727","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-99e8c5ba-f020-41b9-b392-41bf5b7b74bd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(122.38267%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":1000,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Harbhajan emphasizes that it’s an emotional conflict when lives are at stake, why normalize sporting ties

[{"selector":"#anim-cbf82535-f194-4b1e-993e-a8b51287d0d5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-352614a6-b2fe-40a9-9476-4c788826bfed","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-08180a2c-1a11-4108-9da6-1af85df21023","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cace6def-7b79-4c2f-9501-f1a470fada7b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b09b609d-1cbd-46d8-960c-bc4f575c25a3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(122.38267%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":1000,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] His strong words add to growing calls for India to boycott matches against Pakistan, especially in Asia Cup 2025

[{"selector":"#anim-f83e6330-bd20-4f76-8125-433db39428d4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(4.707170701474574%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9485bdd2-37c1-4f78-adc5-63220409f924","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6d617a38-419e-451a-8481-a1a11f8cec22","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d1428ced-a98d-4cb6-8884-92407591bfbb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-100d992f-9f52-4f33-ae56-efdfea3cc0b5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.84158%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":1000,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Harbhajan has long taken a stand previously refusing to play in India-Pakistan legends matches due to political sensitivities

[{"selector":"#anim-31ba9469-af16-4ed2-b60a-c612f17e4532 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(1.8151260388349897%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93517c98-275f-4280-81c2-c61df71229fb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dc9a96a1-4639-4a33-9755-e64db1eeec63","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bad330af-da6e-451b-97cb-0058307435aa","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-094b4799-6ecd-44a3-b4dc-5a836a8c807a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(120.84806%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":1000,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] He also flagged security concerns from past PSL blasts to unstable environments in Pakistan as a major concern

[{"selector":"#anim-dec52545-67ea-4e3b-8412-b4d9c2e1b263 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1d3481c9-e752-4110-95f4-62555c2068a6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bce54217-4c88-4ae2-8931-107ee64ffbe0","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f4ad754d-bc43-4915-b0b6-4e949264dd6f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0abaae37-a9c1-4d7d-9e02-c331e108dcf0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(120.84806%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":1000,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] With cricket deeply emotional, his remarks reflect a broader debate on sports diplomacy vs national loyalty

[{"selector":"#anim-aeebc73f-d522-4a5f-9b69-2203d8f804a8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ace9e487-a526-4703-905a-7183649e9432","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-43fb75bd-0bf8-4b15-8890-a3cdc485b43e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c4ef8169-d4a1-414c-beda-3f848940060f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-05450f4a-4e8b-4a71-9190-50254edd41ac","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(120.84806%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":1000,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] As Asia Cup approaches, will this sentiment sway India’s sports diplomacy or become another talking point