Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of India, has stirred the cricketing waters with a strong statement against resuming or continuing cricketing ties with arch-rivals Pakistan, not even at neutral venues.
Speaking at a private event on Tuesday, Gambhir was asked whether India should continue playing Pakistan on neutral grounds amid the renewed spike in cross-border tensions. The former World Cup winner didn’t mince words.
“My personal answer to this is absolutely no,” Gambhir said. “Till all this doesn’t stop, there should not be anything between India and Pakistan.”
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Gautam Gambhir, however, was quick to point out that the final call rests with the Indian government and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“This is not up to me. It’s not in my jurisdiction. It is for the BCCI and, more importantly, the government to decide whether we should play them or not,” he said.
“Whatever decision they make, we should be absolutely fine with it and not politicise it.”
The recent comments of Gautam Gambhir came just days after Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar raised doubts over Pakistan’s participation in the 2025 Asia Cup, citing similar reasons.
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Gavaskar had also claimed that the BCCI has historically followed the Indian government’s directions when it comes to matters involving Pakistan.
“BCCI’s stance has always been what the Government of India tells them to do. So I don’t think it would be any different when it comes to the Asia Cup,” Gavaskar had said.
“If things haven’t changed, I can’t see Pakistan now being part of the Asia Cup.”
READ: PCB addresses PSL 10 speculation amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions