Suresh Raina claims India players didn’t want to play vs Pakistan, says they followed board’s decision

Former India cricketer Suresh Raina has said the players did not want to play the Asia Cup match against Pakistan. He claimed they played because the board had already agreed to take part in the tournament.

What Raina said

• Raina said if players were asked in private, they would have said “no” to playing Pakistan in the Asia Cup.

• He added the team went ahead because the board had confirmed India’s participation.

• His comments came after India’s “no handshake” stand and the charged build‑up around the game.

The background

• The Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor led to strong feelings in the country.

• There were calls to boycott the match.

• India still played as part of the tournament schedule and won by 7 wickets.

• The team also chose not to shake hands with Pakistan players and said it was a tribute to the victims and the armed forces.

What this means

• Raina’s claim adds to the debate around the match and the “no handshake” decision.

• It highlights the difference between tournament commitments and personal feelings.

• The board’s policy is to avoid bilateral cricket but play in multi‑team events.

What happened on the field

• India restricted Pakistan to a low score and chased it down with seven wickets in hand.

• After the win, the Indian captain dedicated the result to the armed forces and the victims’ families.