Former India wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani has voiced strong criticism of the current state of cricket, saying the sport has lost the gentlemanly values it was once known for. Reflecting on the heated atmosphere of the India-Pakistan rivalry during the Asia Cup 2025, Kirmani said rude gestures and political undertones have started overshadowing the game itself.
“The way cricket is being played all around, I would not like to take the names of the countries, but by and large, there has been no gentlemanliness in the game. There have been very rude, arrogant gestures on the field,” Kirmani told ANI.
He revealed that friends from around the world had reached out, questioning the spirit of the Indian team. “I am ashamed to listen to the comments from my friends. They say, ‘Your time was different. You played like gentlemen. But what has happened to the current era of cricketers globally?’” he said.
India-Pakistan Tensions Spill Into the Field
The Asia Cup 2025 was marked by intense political overtones even before the final. It began with Indian and Pakistani players refusing to shake hands after their group-stage match. The tensions escalated further when the Indian team refused to receive the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi — a decision reportedly made because of Naqvi’s anti-India social media posts. Naqvi eventually left the stadium with the trophy, and the presentation ceremony was canceled.
Suryakumar’s Donation Sparks Controversy
After India’s title win, T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav announced that he would donate his match fees from all seven matches to the Indian Armed Forces — a gesture that many praised. However, Kirmani saw it differently and felt such acts blur the line between sport and politics.
“It is very depressing to me the way things are going on in the sporting field, particularly in cricket. It isn’t the right thing that has happened. Politics shouldn’t be involved in sports in general,” he said.
“Leave Politics Out of Cricket”
Kirmani urged modern cricketers to focus on the sport and stop linking it with external agendas. “Leave politics behind. Whatever has transpired away from the sporting field, leave it there itself. Don’t relate it to your winning amount or whatever you are earning from this great game of cricket,” he added.
His comments have sparked a larger conversation about where the line should be drawn between patriotism and professionalism — and whether cricket, especially in high-stakes contests like India vs. Pakistan, can remain purely a sport without being overshadowed by politics.
Stay updated with the latest Cricket News, Match Predictions, Fantasy Tips, and Live Cricket Action—only on Today Cricket Matches!