When was the last time India boycotted the Asia Cup due to political tensions?

India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 clash at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, September 14. The match is being played amid high tensions between both nations, with many fans in India calling for a boycott after the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year.

However, the BCCI and the Indian government have made it clear that while bilateral cricket with Pakistan is banned, India will continue to play them in multi-nation tournaments like the Asia Cup and ICC events. Despite the backlash, the match is slated to go ahead as planned.

Although India chose not to boycott the Asia Cup this time around, they have skipped the tournament in the past due to various reasons.

When was the last India boycotted the Asia Cup?

Interestingly, India have boycotted the Asia Cup before, but it was not because of Pakistan. The only time India skipped the tournament was back in 1986, almost 39 years ago. That edition was hosted by Sri Lanka, but the Government of India instructed the BCCI not to send the team due to the civil war in the island nation.

India were the defending champions but had to withdraw, and Bangladesh were invited instead. Sri Lanka went on to win the Asia Cup, beating Pakistan in the final.

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India returned to the competition in 1988 when it was hosted in Bangladesh and lifted the trophy by defeating Sri Lanka in the final.

There have been other boycott instances as well. In 1990, Pakistan did not travel to India for the Asia Cup due to political tensions. In 1993, the entire Asia Cup was cancelled due to tensions between India and Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan is set to go ahead in Dubai despite the boycott calls. The Indian government has cited its new Sports Policy, which requires Indian teams in any sport to take part in multi-nation tournaments even if rival or hostile countries are involved.

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This excuse from the ruling dispensation is being used by the BCCI to defend its stance amid the backlash from the public. India and Pakistan were recently engaged in an all-out war for three days after the Indian military launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir in April.

Many expected the BJP government to stop the Indian team from playing the Asia Cup match against Pakistan, considering the public sentiment, just like some past governments had done. However, the government kept the BCCI’s interests ahead of everything else and allowed the match to be played.

It is important to note that many Indian politicians, including those from the ruling government, hold key positions in the BCCI.