The buzz around the India-Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 has not translated into stadium attendance. Despite the fixture being scheduled for 14 September in the UAE, only about 50% of the tickets have been sold so far, raising concerns for the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

Aakash Chopra points to star absence

Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra attributed the low ticket sales to the absence of Team India’s star batsmen, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. “Both these players attract a huge number of fans. Even when Virat played a Ranji Trophy match, the stadium was almost full. Their absence is a major reason for the lower ticket sales,” Chopra said.

Impact on fan turnout

Chopra noted that matches involving India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan earlier in the tournament also saw sparse crowds. He clarified that the low attendance was not due to ticket prices or match timings in the UAE, but primarily because fans missed the opportunity to watch Kohli and Rohit live.

He added that the presence of these two legends could easily have doubled the crowd. “If 5,000 people came earlier, at least 10,000 to 15,000 would have attended if Rohit and Kohli were playing. Seeing them in person is a rare experience, and their absence matters a lot,” he said.

Looking ahead

As India prepares to face Pakistan, the ACC hopes for a bigger turnout. However, the absence of these iconic players highlights the influence star cricketers have on fan engagement, even in marquee matches like India vs Pakistan.