As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the showdown between arch-rivals India and Pakistan scheduled for October 14 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, a whirlwind of controversy has swept through social media. On X (formerly Twitter), the trending hashtag #BoycottIndoPakMatch has captured the attention of netizens, reflecting the growing sentiments of disapproval over the warm welcome bestowed upon the Pakistani cricket team in India.
For those unfamiliar with the situation, the Pakistan Cricket Team was given a rousing reception upon their arrival in India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. As they touched down in Ahmedabad, the city set to host this monumental clash, the team was greeted with open arms. The scenes of this grand welcome quickly disseminated across social media, featuring players being ushered into their hotel amidst the rhythmic beats of dhol drums and spirited garba dance performances by young girls.
In a break from past practices, the players were presented with traditional scarves of a distinctive color, deviating from the customary saffron scarves. Furthermore, flower petals showered down on the players as they entered the hotel, accompanied by music and lively garba performances to celebrate their arrival. Videos capturing these heartwarming gestures went viral on various social media platforms.
However, the outpouring of discontent on X, exemplified by the #BoycottIndoPakMatch hashtag, starkly contrasts these welcoming scenes. A segment of netizens has raised concerns and questions about embracing a team from a nation with which India shares a complex history, including past incidents involving military conflicts and personnel. This controversy has sparked a debate and created a stir in the lead-up to the much-anticipated cricket clash.
To provide a concise overview of the key elements, here’s summarizing the essential aspects:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| #BoycottIndoPakMatch Trend | The trending hashtag on X reflects disapproval of the warm welcome to the Pakistani cricket team in India. |
| Pakistan Cricket Team’s Reception | The team received a grand reception in Ahmedabad, featuring dhol drum beats and garba dance performances. |
| Unique Scarves and Floral Welcome | Players were presented with distinctive scarves, not in the customary saffron color, and received a floral welcome. |
| Social Media Virality | Videos capturing the warm gestures went viral on various social media platforms. |
| Controversy Surrounding the Reception | Netizens express discontent, raising questions about welcoming a team with a complex history with India. |
Kargil – Pulwama – Pathankot – Uri
Agra – Hyderabad – Ahmedabad……#BoycottIndoPakMatch
— Major Pawan Kumar, Shaurya Chakra (Retd) 🇮🇳 (@major_pawan) October 12, 2023
Pakistani kill our soldiers
and
We welcome them all arms and legs openWe are not citizens worth dying for….
No , we are notShame on us
Shame on @BCCI
Shameful @JayShah#BoycottIndoPakMatch#BoycottBCCI#BoycottIndoPakMatch pic.twitter.com/lSXUJE6ckj— Ronin 🇮🇳🇮🇱 (@indian_ronin) October 13, 2023
Cricket match is nothing infront of our Soldiers.
Enemies are always enemy.
Shame on BCCI and Jay Shah
Pakistani doesn’t deserve this type of welcome.#BoycottIndoPakMatch #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/UkoV4enpt7
— KIRA’N’TR (@KiRanM9999) October 13, 2023
Cricket match is nothing infront of our Soldiers.
Enemies are always enemy.
Shame on BCCI and Jay Shah
Pakistani doesn’t deserve this type of welcome.#BoycottIndoPakMatch #INDvsPAK #IndiaVsPakistan #AUSvsSA #INDvPAK #INDvsAFG #INDvAFG #RohitSharma #TrainAccident #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/mTJOW1ugSm
— Ajeet Kumar🇮🇳 (@ajeetkr03) October 13, 2023
Pakistani players were welcomed in India in Hyderabad, then despite the absence of Pak people in the stadium, Indian J!had! raised slogans of Pakistan Zindabad. They should be ashamed of supporting those people due to whom our country soldiers were martyred.#BoycottIndoPakMatch pic.twitter.com/EUWcY9rjtJ
— HINDU SAI (@TheNameIsSaiii) October 13, 2023
Don’t make money in the name of cricket and betray our soldiers martyred protecting us from pak sponsored terrorists.
Shame on @JayShah#ShameOnBCCI#BoycottIndoPakMatch pic.twitter.com/IGPtIKHfRE— Ranjan Pattnaik 🇮🇳 🐦 (@talk2srp) October 13, 2023
If @BCCI is actually the richest cricket board in the world then why he can’t kick out a bagger team like Pakistan and bring team like West Indies or other team .#ShameOnBCCI #BoycottIndoPakMatch #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/4tUTQW73LB
— Anish 🇮🇳 (@Anishmondal231) October 13, 2023
#BoycottIndoPakMatch Shame on you @arjitsingh4224 @Shankar_Live if u a real indian and you know what our @adgpi work for me plz not go on concert during #IndiaVsPakistan match you remember this @JayShah @BCCI @imVkohli what they do pic.twitter.com/7delpT2jWY
— Pankaj Upadhyay🇮🇳 (@pankajupadhyayc) October 13, 2023
Cricket match is nothing infront of our Soldiers.
Enemies are always enemy.
Shame on BCCI and Jay Shah
Pakistani doesn’t deserve this type of welcome.#BoycottIndoPakMatch #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/S3gxZOvH1T
— विवेक शुक्ला (@vivekcool007) October 13, 2023