Shahid Afridi dig at India has stirred the cricketing world once again, following the Indian team’s shocking exit from the World Championship of Legends (WCL). Shahid Afridi didn’t hold back as he criticized the Indian side for what he called an “ego-driven” approach, subtly mocking the lack of team chemistry and unity during the tournament.
India, one of the top contenders in the Legends League, failed to reach the finals despite having legendary names like Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, and Harbhajan Singh in the squad. Shahid Afridi, in a sharp remark, stated, “Shaklein bhi badal jaati hain ego ke liye,” implying that personal pride overshadowed team spirit. Shahid Afridi further hinted that internal conflicts and lack of coordination might have contributed to India’s downfall.
Distances will increase if India and Pakistan don’t play: Shahid Afridi
The Shahid Afridi dig at India has not only fueled fan debates but also prompted reactions from former cricketers who defended the Indian legends, highlighting their contributions to global cricket. However, Shahid Afridi’s comments underline the emotional intensity of Indo-Pak cricket narratives—even in retired leagues.
While Pakistan Legends cruised to the finals, but lost the final against South Africa very brutally with solid team performance and discipline, India’s early departure left fans disappointed and questioning what went wrong. Afridi’s comment, although controversial, has reignited conversations around team dynamics, leadership, and ego management in post-retirement tournaments.
“I am Pakistan and Pakistan is me. It’s my country. I have always said there’s no better diplomacy between India and England in cricket. If you see tensions were there in the past too, but matches kept happening, the leaders sat together, watched matches together. You remember Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s time. If you don’t play, don’t sit together, the distances will increase,” Afridi said.
“It’s very disappointing. 17,000 people were supposed to come from quite far places. Everyone is disappointed. I just want cricket to be separate from politics. If politics meddle with everything, we won’t be able to move forward. Only those communities prosper that keep these things apart and talk,” he added.
For Indian fans, the WCL exit may be a bitter pill, but Afridi’s statement adds salt to the wound, ensuring the rivalry continues off the field.