Overview

• Dhawan said on a podcast that the Pahalgam terror attack and its aftermath left him emotionally unprepared to play Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends.
• He stated he told WCL organisers two months before the event that he would not participate in any Pakistan fixtures.
• India Champions forfeited both Pakistan games, including the semi-final, handing Pakistan a walkover to the final, which Pakistan lost to South Africa Legends.
• Dhawan added that players should compete in official tournaments against Pakistan if the government directs it, noting India beat Pakistan in all three Asia Cup meetings in September.
• He previously traded public barbs with Shahid Afridi after the WCL forfeits, underscoring how tensions spilled from a private legends event into broader cricket discourse.