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Just days before the high-voltage clash, Uddhav Thackeray had strongly opposed the very idea of India playing against Pakistan.

India Won Asia Cup 2025 Final
Congratulatory messages poured in as Team India registered a resounding victory over Pakistan, clinching the Asia Cup title for a record-extending ninth time. From political leaders to industrialists, everyone joined in to celebrate the triumph. Among them was Milind Narvekar, a senior leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), who took to X and wrote, “Long live India,” accompanied by a national flag emoji.
What makes his congratulatory note significant is the backdrop of his party’s earlier stance. Just days before the high-voltage clash, Shiv Sena (UBT) had strongly opposed the very idea of India playing against Pakistan.
हिंदुस्तान ज़िंदाबाद 🇮🇳— Milind Narvekar (@NarvekarMilind_) September 28, 2025
“Prime Minister Modi said that blood and water cannot flow together, then how can blood and cricket flow together? How can sport and war be held at the same time?” Uddhav had asked.
“They are not interested in patriotism. They are only interested in the money and trade earned through the tournament,” Thackeray had said.
PM Modi Hails Team India After Asia Cup Triumph
Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Team India’s emphatic Asia Cup victory over Pakistan with a powerful message on X. Drawing a parallel to the recent #OperationSindoor, a successful counter-terror operation, he wrote, “#OperationSindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers.”
PM Modi’s post not only praised the cricketers but also evoked national pride by connecting the sporting triumph to the country’s recent military success.
President Murmu Reacts After India’s Asia Cup Win
Taking to X, President Droupadi Murmu wrote, “My heartiest congratulations to Team India for winning the Asia Cup cricket tournament. The team did not lose any match in the tournament, marking its dominance in the game. I wish Team India sustained glory in the future.”

Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her…Read More
Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her… Read More
September 29, 2025, 00:34 IST
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