• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Till Terrorism Doesnt Stop Gautam Gambhir Bluntly Objects India Pakistan Encounter

"Till Terrorism Doesn't Stop.." Gautam Gambhir Bluntly Objects India-Pakistan Encounter

Akshita Patel

Gautam Gambhir on India-Pakistan relations [Source: @Rnawaz31888, @babloobhaiya3/X.com]Gautam Gambhir on India-Pakistan relations [Source: @Rnawaz31888, @babloobhaiya3/X.com]

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has strongly said that India should not play any cricket with Pakistan, not even at neutral venues, after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. He argued that terrorism has to stop to resume any kind of engagement with Pakistan, let alone cricket.

His comments came after a deadly attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people were murdered by militants. The Indian government has made several tough decisions against Pakistan since the attack.

These include suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari border crossing, and downgrading diplomatic ties.

Gautam Gambhir Opens Up On Future Of IND-PAK Cricket Relations

Recently speaking at an event in Delhi, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir said until terrorism stops, no cricket matches should be held between India and Pakistan. He further made it clear that human life is more important than sports or entertainment. 

"My personal answer to this is absolutely no. Till all this (terrorism) doesn't stop, there should not be anything between India and Pakistan. Ultimately, this is government's decision whether we play them or not. I have said this before also, no cricket match or Bollywood or any other interaction is more important than the life of Indian soldiers and Indian citizens. Matches will keep happening, movies will be made, singers will continue to perform, but nothing comes close to losing a loved one in your family," Gambhir said on ABP News.

However, Gambhir acknowledged that it is up to the Indian government and the BCCI to make the final decision and that everyone should respect it without turning it into a political issue.

"This is not up to me, it's not in my jurisdiction, this is for BCCI and more importantly, the government to decide whether we should play them or not. Whatever decision they make, we should be absolutely fine with it and not politicise it."

India and Pakistan have not played a full cricket series since January 2013. In recent years, they’ve only met in multi-team tournaments like the ICC events and Asia Cup.

Gambhir Slams Ex-Cricketers With Brutal Remark 

Gautam Gambhir hit back at critics, asserting he’s “not the coach of any cosy club.” For his national pride is over appeasement, and he slammed ex-players turned commentators who view Indian cricket as their “family fiefdom.” 

Dismissing questions about his prize money and leadership style, Gambhir declared, “Cricket is not anyone’s private property.” He vowed to build a fearless team, stay in India, and serve the nation with integrity, unlike tax-avoiding NRIs.