Suresh Raina ends silence on India-Pakistan WCL controversy: 'We chose our nation above everything else'

Suresh Raina ends silence on India-Pakistan WCL controversy (Photo: Road Safety World Series)

Suresh Raina was part of India Champions squad, which took part in the World Championship of Legends (WCL), a tournament featuring past icons. However, the tournament found itself in hot water mostly due to geopolitical tension between India and Pakistan. Both teams were set to clash in the league stage, which never took place, and then once again in the semifinal that met with similar fate.

It was India, who refused to engage in any match with the neighbours, citing public sentiments and the tainted relation between the two countries. Both countries share animosity, which only increased after the ghastly attack in Pahalgam in April this year. The attack, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, forced India to launch a military operation and situation escalated to almost a full-fledged war until a ceasefire was announced.

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There was plenty of outcry about the two nations playing cricket, which led India Champions to withdraw from both the matches. While Shikhar Dhawan, also part of the India Champions squad, was quick to make a public statement the others are yet to address the matter.

Amidst this, former India cricketer Suresh Raina, also a member of the India Champions squad, finally ended silence on the controversy. He shared a tweet congratulating AB de Villiers, who delivered a match-winning knock against Pakistan in the final.

In the same post, Raina also spoke about the India-Pakistan tension and saluted sponsors EaseMyTrip and its owner Nishant Pitti for their firm stand against Pakistan.

His post read: "What a knock by @ABdeVilliers17 in the final, absolutely smashed it. Had we played, we would’ve crushed them (Pakistan) too, but we chose our nation above everything else. Full respect to @EaseMyTrip and @nishantpitti for standing firm and not supporting any match involving them. That’s real character. #WCL2025 #Respect #PlayForTheFlag"

What a knock by @ABdeVilliers17 in the final, absolutely smashed it

Had we played, we would’ve crushed them too, but we chose our nation above everything else.

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Full respect to @EaseMyTrip and @nishantpitti for standing firm and not supporting any match involving them. That’s…

— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) August 2, 2025

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also took note of the controversy and decided to put a blanket ban on further participation in the tournament.