New Delhi:  Indian opposition party Congress has strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for politicizing India’s recent Asia Cup cricket victory, accusing him of turning a sporting event into a tool for war propaganda.

Congress leader Atul Patel questioned Modi’s understanding of diplomacy and foreign policy, stating, “If it was a match, it should have been played in the spirit of sports, not turned into a narrative of war.”

He added that equating the win with “Operation Sindoor” was unacceptable and a dangerous precedent that undermines the integrity of sports.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Congress President Harshvardhan Sakpal also criticized Modi, saying, “Whether it’s air, water, or now sports — Modi brings politics and division into everything.”

He alleged that instead of upholding national dignity, Modi was using cricket to fuel political hatred and push a divisive agenda.

The controversy follows India’s nail-biting win against Pakistan in the Asia Cup final held in Dubai, where India chased down the target in the last over to win by five wickets.

However, the victory was marred by controversy, as the Indian team reportedly refused to receive the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Despite this, Naqvi stood firm, and the Indian team ultimately left the ground without the trophy.

The incident has sparked debates across India, with many accusing the ruling government of dragging politics into sports and damaging the spirit of healthy competition.