Gautam Gambhir advocates against hosting India-Pakistan cricket matches at present.
In the wake of the chilling Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, former Indian cricketer and current coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed his firm stance on the matter of cricket ties with Pakistan. He's adamant that sport should be put on the backburner until terrorism ceases.
Speaking at a recent event in New Delhi, Gambhir left no room for doubt when he declared, "I've said it before, and I'll say it again — no cricket match, Bollywood event, or any other interaction means more to me than the life of an Indian soldier or citizen. Matches will go on, movies will be made, and concerts will happen, but nothing else compares to losing someone you love."
This event was a grim reminder of the simmering tension between the two nations, as Pakistan continues to be suspected of involvement in cross-border incidents.
Gambhir's No-Nonsense Approach
Although bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan has been on hiatus since their last series in January 2013, they've been spotted facing off in multinational events. Their most recent encounter was during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai, and the teams were expected to meet again in several upcoming tournaments. The Women's ODI World Cup, the Men's Asia Cup, and the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup were all on the horizon, with Pakistan looming as a potential opponent.
Gambhir was asked about India's participation in sharing a field with Pakistan at neutral venues. "To be honest," he said, "my answer would be an absolute no. Till all this (terrorism) doesn't end, there should be no relations between India and Pakistan."
Geopolitical Shifts
In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, the Indian government has taken drastic action. Revoking the Indus Waters Treaty, snapping trading, postal, and shipping ties, closing the Attari border crossing, and restricting the social media accounts of several Pakistani stars — including cricketers — in India, are just a few of the strategic steps taken. Indian visas issued to Pakistani nationals have also been revoked, and the Indian airspace has been closed to all flights from Pakistan, affecting international air connectivity.
Pakistan's Response
Pakistan opener Gull Feroza made headlines after expressing the women's team's disinterest in playing in India following their qualification for the World Cup.
Though Gambhir acknowledged that the decision ultimately rests with the authorities, he remained unwavering in his stance. "It's not my call, but if I were to make a decision, I'd say no. Safety and security should always come first."
Stay tuned for updates on the evolving India-Pakistan cricket rivaly and the ongoing tensions between the two nations.
- In light of his firm stance against cricket ties with Pakistan, Gautam Gambhir's response towards India's participation in sharing a field with Pakistan at neutral venues remains an absolute no, as he believes that until terrorism ceases, there should be no relations between the two nations.
- Considering the simmering tension between India and Pakistan, it is likely that the politicization of sports, particularly cricket, could intensify, considering the recent revocation of visas issued to Pakistani nationals and the closure of the Indian airspace to all flights from Pakistan.
- The controversy surrounding cricket ties between India and Pakistan has found its way into the realm of international sports, as Pakistan opener Gull Feroza drew attention for expressing the women's team's disinterest in playing in India following their qualification for the World Cup, reflecting the potential for this geopolitical issue to impact the sports world.
