Sledging Room

The Asia Cup turned out to be an ugly affair. Dominated by off-field drama, the continental tournament made headlines for the wrong reasons more often than not.

India and Pakistan met three times, including a historic first in the final. Yet, their battles will be remembered more for the tensions on the field than for any memorable cricketing moments.

From the handshake snub to provocative gestures by Pakistan players, the India-Pakistan clashes were a disappointment for purists of the sport. India, however, simply took a stand they believed in. Pakistan, on the other hand, opted for the ugly route, focusing on theatrics rather than cricket.

The drama reached its peak on the final day when Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi walked away with the trophy after India refused to accept it from him.

In the latest episode of the Sledging Room podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Alan John, and Kingshuk Kusari reflect on what was arguably one of the most controversial cricket tournaments in history.

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Produced By Areeb Raza

Sound Mix By Aman Pal

When Pakistan finally took the field against the UAE in Dubai on Wednesday, the Asia Cup match began under a cloud that had little to do with form or tactics. An hour-long delay, frantic calls between Lahore and Dubai, and the sudden spectre of a boycott turned routine pre-match preparations into a full-blown media circus.

This episode was not an isolated burst of indignation. It was the latest in a familiar pattern: a board that prizes theatrics and brinkmanship over consistency, with players left carrying the collateral damage.

Fans can debate whether the handshake snub was provocation, misunderstanding, or politicisation by India. The bigger question is simpler: did the PCB protect its players, or use them as bargaining chips? The answer is grimly obvious.

Yes, there is merit in defending players from perceived slights. But there is a world of difference between a quiet procedural protest and a public demand that risks boycotting a tournament. One seeks resolution. The other seeks optics. The PCB chose optics — and the players bore the weight.

In the latest episode of the Sledging Room podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Alan John and Debodinna Chakraborty discuss how Pakistan scored an own goal, again! 

Produced by Nikhil Khattar
 
Sound mixed by Aman Pal

India and Pakistan are set to clash in the Asia Cup group stage on Sunday in Dubai. The much-anticipated contest comes amid cross-border tensions and calls in India to boycott the game. Unlike previous high-voltage encounters, the hype this time feels muted. As of Friday, even the tickets were not sold out.
On paper, there remains a clear gap in talent and class between the two sides, even in T20 cricket. India, the reigning world champions, look far stronger. Pakistan, missing their key batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, are still trying to adapt to the modern approach in the shortest format.
Sunday’s game could well turn into a one-sided affair, with India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, eager to assert dominance over their arch-rivals. The Indians sent out a strong message in their opening match against UAE, bowling them out for just 57 runs and chasing the target in only 4.3 overs.
The question remains: does Pakistan have the bowling firepower to trouble India and make this contest competitive? If not, another lopsided result could further dent the already waning quality of this once-fierce rivalry between the neighbours.
In the latest episode of the Sledging Room Podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Kingshuk Kusari, and Saurabh Kumar discuss the imbalance between the two teams and what to expect from the India–Pakistan tie in the Asia Cup.

Produced by Nikhil Khattar
 
Sound mixed by Aman Pal 

India are set to face Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup T20 after the Indian government recently clarified its stance on playing against Pakistan despite ongoing cross-border tensions.

The Men in Blue will kick off their campaign against the UAE on September 10. However, all eyes will be on the blockbuster clash between the two arch-rivals at the Dubai International Stadium on September 14.

This will be the first time India and Pakistan will face each other in an international cricket match since the Pahalgam terror attack.

Should India boycott matches against Pakistan in continental and ICC tournaments, or should sports and politics remain separate when it comes to India-Pakistan encounters?

Senior sports journalist Nikhil Naz joins the usual cast of Akshay Ramesh and Saurabh Kumar on the Sledging Room podcast to break down the rivalry and share insights from his two decades of covering the Asia Cup.

Cheteshwar Pujara retired two years after playing his last Test. R Ashwin bowed out midway through a Test series in Australia. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their retirements from Test cricket during the IPL season. Yet, none of them were accorded a farewell.
Overseas stars such as David Warner and James Anderson were able to choose their stage and script emotional farewell matches. Why can’t Indian greats enjoy the same privilege?
Is this down to the BCCI’s inability to communicate better with its senior players?
Pujara’s retirement also raises a crucial question: Is there still space for Test specialists in modern-day cricket?
In the latest episode of the Sledging Room podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Kingshuk Kusari and Saurabh Kumar debate whether India’s modern-day greats have been short-changed in retirements.

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