WCL 2025: Indian sponsor pulls out of semi-final clash against Pakistan

IND champions and PAK champions (Source: WCL)

Indian travel company EaseMyTrip has pulled out of sponsoring the blockbuster semi-final clash between India and Pakistan in the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. The company cited national interest and ongoing political concerns as reasons for withdrawing its support from the marquee fixture.

India and Pakistan were scheduled to face each other in the semi-final after India’s late entry into the knockout stage with a brilliant win over the West Indies. However, the fixture has once again brought back political tensions between the two nations, particularly following the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Earlier, the Indian team forfeited their group-stage match against Pakistan, with several players pulling out.

Now, as both teams are set to play the knockout game, one of the tournament’s major sponsors has backed out. On Wednesday, EaseMyTrip co-founder Nishant Pitti announced via social media.

“India vs Pakistan – WCL Semi-Final We applaud Team India @India_Champions for their outstanding performance in the World Championship of Legends, you’ve made the nation proud. However, the upcoming semi-final against Pakistan is not just another game, Terror and cricket cannot go hand in hand. @EaseMyTrip , we stand with India. We cannot support any event that attempts to normalise relations with a country that promotes terrorism. The people of India have spoken and we hear them. EaseMyTrip will not be associated with the India vs Pakistan match in WCL. Some things are bigger than sport. Nation first business later Always. Jai Hind,” he wrote on X.

Meanwhile, Shikhar Dhawan, when asked recently about the potential semi-final game, mentioned that if he didn’t play earlier, he would not play in the upcoming game as well. “Brother, you’re asking this question at the wrong place right now. If you’re asking that, do you think I’m going to answer? You shouldn’t be asking this question. And if I haven’t played earlier, then I still won’t play,” said Shikhar Dhawan.