The controversy surrounding India's decision to skip the Champions Trophy in Pakistan has spilled into the political arena, with opposition leaders urging the government to separate sports from politics. Leading the charge, RJD leader and former cricketer Tejashwi Yadav questioned the logic behind the move, drawing parallels with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s past visit to Pakistan.

“There should be no politics in sports. Pakistani teams come to India, so why can’t our players travel there? Sports isn’t about war—it’s about fostering goodwill. If PM Modi can visit Pakistan for diplomatic purposes, why is it seen as wrong for the Indian cricket team to play in a multi-nation tournament there? This double standard is not fair,” said Yadav, who has represented Jharkhand in state-level cricket.

The government’s decision has sparked widespread debate, with critics arguing that keeping the team from participating could harm the spirit of international sportsmanship and unity.