Indian Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has strongly condemned the increasing politicization of cricket after reports emerged that Pakistan will boycott its match against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Speaking to the media, Tharoor called the situation “pretty disgraceful,” saying that politics has unnecessarily interfered with sports on all sides. He stressed that cricket, a game loved across South Asia, should unite people, not be used for political messaging.
Tharoor also addressed the controversy involving Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who was blocked from a contract with Kolkata Knight Riders. He described the decision as “most unfortunate” and said Mustafizur should never have been denied the opportunity.
While criticizing the initial actions, Tharoor noted that Bangladesh’s reaction was an overreaction, and Pakistan’s boycott appears to be an attempt to show solidarity with Bangladesh. He warned that the situation is now “spiralling out of control.”
“This intrusion of politics into sport is deeply troubling,” he said, adding that such decisions fuel tensions rather than solve them.
Tharoor called for immediate dialogue among all parties, suggesting that the International Cricket Council (ICC) could provide a neutral platform to de-escalate the crisis.
“Cricket is more than just a game—it should bring us together on the field,” he said. “This is a wake-up call. Everyone must act quickly to resolve this and stop letting politics interfere with sport.”
