The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the World Championship League (WCL) 2025, scheduled to take place on July 20 at Edgbaston, Birmingham, is already generating excitement among cricket fans worldwide. However, amid the electrifying atmosphere, there’s a silent but glaring truth — no one will raise a voice for representation, because there is no turbaned Sikh in leadership or playing roles on either side. In an era where diversity and inclusion are global buzzwords, it’s disheartening to see that a community that has contributed so immensely to the sport — especially in India — is missing at the top level. The absence of a turbaned Sikh cricketer or administrator isn’t just symbolic; it reflects how certain voices have been gradually sidelined.
Historically, Sikh cricketers like Bishan Singh Bedi, Harbhajan Singh, and Navjot Sidhu were once the pride of Indian cricket. Today, their successors are not even visible in national conversations, let alone on the field or in policy decisions. The system that once encouraged regional and community representation now seems skewed toward select centres of influence. When India and Pakistan clash on such a massive stage, the world watches. Media houses roar with pre-match hype, and politicians often issue statements, but none will mention this silence — the absence of a turbaned Sikh presence in leadership, team strategy, or selection boards. This silence isn’t just accidental; it’s systemic. It stems from centralized power structures, regional biases, and a growing disconnect from Punjab’s contribution to Indian sports. For Pakistani Sikhs, the story is even more grim — their community remains completely unrepresented in national sports narratives. As Edgbaston prepares to host one of cricket’s biggest rivalries, we must ask: who speaks for the forgotten contributors? Who ensures that every community has a fair shot not just at playing, but leading and shaping the future of the sport? Until this question is taken seriously, the roar of the crowd will continue to drown out the silence of real inclusion.