Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray launched a scathing jibe at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), stating that the board's "greed for money", which stems from competing in the fixture against Pakistan in next month's Asia Cup, "stands above" the sacrifice of the nation's Armed Forces.

The outrage over India facing their arch-rival in the tournament results from the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, during which 26 tourists were killed on April 22 by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in the name of religion.

India responded with Operation Sindoor on May 7 to avenge the attack and dismantle the terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and deeper inside Pakistan. In the aftermath of India's response, the strained relationship between the two neighbouring nations further slumped.